Broody rejecting chicks?

[LazyOakes]

I got several day old chicks to put under my broody. I put them under her last night and they all settled in and seemed content. First thing this morning, they were all still under mom and quiet. An hour later, the chicks were huddled together away from mom. They all seem lost as to what to do. They chicks will approach mom, but she is pecking at them and they aren’t going underneath her. She’s gently clucking at them and approaching them with her wings out, as if she is trying to get them to come under her, but isn’t sure exactly how to do it. I’m worried about the chicks getting too cold. Should I separate them and try again tonight?

 

[sourland]

How long has she been broody? The closer to 21 days the greater the chance of her fostering the chicks. If they have had access to feed and water, I would put them back under her and continue to monitor them throughout the day if they were mine.

 

[LazyOakes]

She’s been broody for about 25 days now. I got the chicks back under her, but some of them keep popping back out and wandering off, and then cheeping sadly in a corner. I will keep checking on them throughout the day, but I’m glad that she is at least sitting on them again.

 

[LazyOakes]

Well, they won't stay under my hen and she is starting to peck at them. It is only in the 70s here today and I am getting concerned about them becoming chilled. How long would you leave them to work things out?

 

[chickengeorgeto]

Hens imprint on their mama and the mama hen imprints on the chicks.

You will have better luck fostering chicks onto a hen or having that hen adopt chicks if you will limit all human interaction with the peeps before you introduce the hen and the chicks.

Obviously the chicks do not recognise your hen as their mama and may never do so, but Keep trying.

 

[chickens really]

Yes..Human imprinted Chicks don't take to Momma easily. If she's not hurting them then just wait.