Broody hen questions? Slipping chicks??

[jebjow]

So, I'm pretty sure my 1 year old Salmon Flaverolle is broody. She started spending more time in the nesting box over the past week then today she's been in the nest all day. When I open the coop door she hunkers down and starts squawking at me. Broody, right?
My question is, when should I plan to slip day old chicks under her? How long do I let her sit before doing so?

Also, I must figure out a way to move her before hand. The nest she's in sits about 2 feet off the ground in the middle of a row of three boxes. She's chosen the middle box, the most popular one. I thought maybe I could box her in under the nesting boxes so she's still in the coop with our other two hens but safe from them. When should I make her move and what do I have to do to make the move successful?

Thanks in advance for any advice you can give.

 

[Judy]

Is she staying on the nest all night as well? Don't count on her being fully broody til she does. Once she is, she will probably accept chicks, though you might want to let her set for a week or two for a little insurance. before giving her chicks.

What works best, really, is to either leave them where they have chosen. or move to another area not shared by the rest of the flock for the setting period. Once the chicks hatch, you can let her raise them in with the rest of the flock.

If the chicks jump down from a 2' high nest, which they won''t have any trouble with, the won't be able to get back up to it for a week or two, so they will just gather somewhere else under mama and sleep or rest, or else mama will call them to another spot where they will go unde rher and sleep. They take care of these things themselves. It sounds like they will gather where you are thinking of making a place for her to set. But trying to move her before she has chicks may break her broodiness.

Keep in mind that it'[s always possible she will not accept the chicks, and you will have to remove them and raise them in a brooder.

 

[jebjow]

 

[jebjow]

She did stay in the nest all night.

So, you think I can just leave her there, in a week or two add the chicks under her? Is there no need to separate her and the chicks from the rest of the flock?

It'll likeky be 1-2 weeks before I can get the chicks anyway, so it'll be perfect timing.

 

[Judy]

That's what I would do. Not everyone agrees with me, though. They prefer to keep mama and chicks separate. When you do, the mama usually stops mothering them around 6 weeks, so you need a separate area to grow them out to adult size, to prevent the flock from attacking them. On the other hand, if the eggs/chicks are particularly valuable, you may prefer not to take a chance.

I've had maybe 6 batches of chicks raised by broodies, always within the flock, and not lost one to other adults. But it does happen.