BROODY HEN Q: When to give Broody Hen a Day-Old Chick to adopt? Day or Night or Does it Matter?

[DragonflyRanchGirl]

BROODY HEN Q: When to give Broody Hen a Day-Old Chick to adopt? Day or Night or Does it Matter?

I need to give my broody a couple of day olds today---do I need to wait until night? I have read to only do that,but have read to never do that. LOL!
Also, I have read to show her the chick, and I have read to hide the chick covertly under her.

WHAT'S THE REAL DEAL? I have raised chickens forever, but never done this before. HELP! Thanks!

 

[TheOddOneOut]

Night is best. Hide it under her, so she thinks it just hatched.

 

[DragonflyRanchGirl]

Night is best. Hide it under her, so she thinks it just hatched.

Thanks! Does is need to be super dark, or is dusk okay? I only ask because this hen has always been the sweetest little think, but since she went broody, she has turned into a beast!(I want to be sure the chicks are ok)

 

[TheOddOneOut]

Thanks! Does is need to be super dark, or is dusk okay? I only ask because this hen has always been the sweetest little think, but since she went broody, she has turned into a beast!(I want to be sure the chicks are ok)

Dusk, after she's asleep, and then check on her every half hour-hour afterward. Do watch her for a minute after you put the chick/s under her. If all goes well, she will wake up and welcome her new babies!

 

[DragonflyRanchGirl]

I have her in a dog crate in the coop---should I leave the door to the crate open or closed??

 

[TK421]

Leave the door open until after you put them in. Hold the chicks nearby so she hears them for a few minutes. Then put them in approaching from her rear. Then shut the kennel so everyone is safe.

 

[DragonflyRanchGirl]

Ok..tried to turn her and the second i reached in to place the first chick....she started pecking me and turned around...finally did the 2nd chick about 5 min later and she pecked me quite a bit, again. I am not hearing the "cooing" bit she is not attacking the chicks. I couldnt get the golf balls out. HELP!

 

[DragonflyRanchGirl]

VICTORY!!!! (so far....not counting my chickens before they hatch ADOPT)! LOL!!! Thanks so much!!!

 

[TK421]

excellent!

 

[khrisilou]

Thank you both for this post. I have a broody hen with one egg and I am not sure it will hatch. I'm thinking I might put a day old under her if it doesn't. This helped! I have approximately 48 hours til we know.