broody hens and chicks

[typitts12]

Im fixing to have a game hen hatch some gold laced chicks. Is that a good idea? but my big question is if i free range will the hen still take care of the chicks?

 

[foreverlearning]

It depends on her determination. If she is a good broody then yes it is a great idea and she will free range with the chicks. Broody hatched and raised chicks are always stronger and smarter because they are taught things we simply can't teach chicks. They are also better at integrating without issues. You may want to give her her own broody quarters to reduce stress until the chicks are about 3 days old or hatching is done. If this is the first time she has gone broody and you don't know how good of a broody she is then you will want to have an incubator and brooder ready just in case. If she is a proven broody then you have nothing to worry about. Game hens are not known to be broody often, you are lucky!