Broody layers raising meat birds??

[nparks]

I will have 20 Cornish X soon. I was planning on brooding then in their own coop with supplemental heat. However, I have 2 broody laying hens. They have been broody for about 5 days. I was wondering if I could put my baby meat birds under them for a while instead of using supplemental heat?? I’m in Michigan and the low is in the low 40s. This is my second batch of meat birds so I know they require a higher protein feed than the layers. Could I move those broody layers into my meat bird coop for the time being?

 

[amber.lyda]

thats the only way i raise chicks anymore. I just wait until spring and let a broody girl help do the work. I have 8 chicks under a silkie right now and I just had another one go broody, and im going to shove a few under her in a few days. We are raising backyard girls for some family and friends

 

[rjohns39]

What an interesting concept... Truth is I have no idea... But I do know that adding a flighty chick in with the CX has wonderful side benefits. They move more, forage more and eat less feed. Which results in better muscle tone, less health issues, lower loss rates and stronger flavor. I'm thinking if they do get raised by foraging chicken mama's they'll learn to be better at it themselves. If you try it, keep us posted as I'd love to know how it works out...

BTW, I feed broilers a broiler mix designed for pasture raising at 18% protein from start to finish. It's fine for your broodies, just add some free choice oyster shell in case they decide to start laying again.

 

[nparks]

So I just tried this I had one broody Buff and one mixed breed I think part Americauna. Right off the bat the mixed broody tried to kill her chicks. So far the buff has taken to her 10. Now my question is.. can I brood the left over 10 in the same coop that the mama buff and her chicks are in using a heating pad? Will they be able to share the same waters and food without fighting?
If I seperate them into different brooders Will I be able to integrate them back together in a few weeks after the broody hen weans her chicks?

Or am I better off just brooding them all myself?