Broody problem, Chicks due today!

[newchickmom]

I have a hen that has been broody for 8 weeks now! I gave her 7 eggs to sit on (now down to 5).

1. Another broody stole her nest.
2. I split the eggs between them.
3. Found eggs cold one day.

I checked the eggs last night and could hear tapping in 3 with 1 of them pipping. The original broody's eggs were silent.

Could I give her 1 week olds if her eggs don't hatch? Would meat birds be OK? Do you think she will steal the other chicks?

I am so anxious, I can't wait to go out and check on them. (as soon as I am done on the computer)

I'll keep you updated.

 

[joebryant]

I'd try my best to make sure that she has at least one chick after all that determined effort. I'd seperate her and her chick for a couple of weeks to be sure that the chick is 100% bonded to her alone, but I'd keep them in sight of the other chickens so there'd be no problem with them reuniting. Funny you should ask because this is exactly what happened to me, and I have a hen now with one one-month-old chick as a result. The hen fawns on that chick. They're really cute together.