- Oct 13, 2008
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I have 3 hens (BO, RSL, BSL) that are about 2 yrs old. Since I anticipate them slowing down in egg production, we'll be getting 4 more chicks from the feed store this week. (Actually, I know they'll still lay for quite a while, but it's a great excuse for new chicks
)
My question: My BO, Hedwig, goes broody about 3 times a year, and is getting progressively more difficult to break. She happened to go broody 2 days ago, and we'll be getting the chicks tomorrow. What are my chances of being able to slip the chickies under her successfully. I know to do it at night with minimal light, so that's not a problem. Highs here are at 78ish, lows of ~60, so I'm not worried about severe weather. Will Hedwig be able to protect the babies from the other 2 hens? She is the top of the pecking order... I have them in a 6x3 coop (we'll be adding on soon
), and a 10x10 run. The chicks are from the same feed store and hatchery that I got these 3, and all have the same vaccinations (Mareks and one other...).
Soooo, whaddya think? Will it work? I'd be thrilled to avoid having a brooder in my garage...

My question: My BO, Hedwig, goes broody about 3 times a year, and is getting progressively more difficult to break. She happened to go broody 2 days ago, and we'll be getting the chicks tomorrow. What are my chances of being able to slip the chickies under her successfully. I know to do it at night with minimal light, so that's not a problem. Highs here are at 78ish, lows of ~60, so I'm not worried about severe weather. Will Hedwig be able to protect the babies from the other 2 hens? She is the top of the pecking order... I have them in a 6x3 coop (we'll be adding on soon

Soooo, whaddya think? Will it work? I'd be thrilled to avoid having a brooder in my garage...
