Broody Mama Adopting Chicks

[Leslielou019]

I have always used a brooder to raise my chicks. My one year old broody bantam is going on almost 3 months of being broody. I tried many different ways to kick it to no avail. A friend gave me possibly fertile eggs. I moved her to my brooder in the garage because she would leave some of the clutch to sit on the freshly laid eggs. Anyway, I bought two chicks this afternoon and slipped them under her as soon as I got home. My garage is not pitch black but is dimly lit. She has them under her and has for the last 3 hours. How do I know she "took" to them? She never made the cooing noises I have read about. I pulled them out and showed them the water and food and she gently pecked at one and that was it. I put them back under her. Should I be concerned she isn't taking them? This is my first time doing this. Thank you!

 

[ChickenCanoe]

That will probably work. By morning you'll know. Did you remove the eggs when you added the chicks..
3 months is an awfully long time to allow a hen to stay broody. Read that as too long.
What did you do to break her broodiness?

 

[Leslielou019]

Thank you, yes I took the eggs out and put them under a newly broody girl.

I tried a broody box using our metal dog kennel. I took the pan out and raised it so there was cool airflow and uncomfortable enough it kicked the other two that started the same time as her. She was in it for a full week to Jo avail. I tried ice cubes under her, soaked her belly in a ice cold bath. Putting her in a bin and setting it on a rock so it would rock and be unstable. I locked her out of the coop for a full day, and my kids chased her around the yard.