Broody with no babies, what to do with her?

[MizzClucker]

That’s concerning
Chicks should be eating but if they’re day old or two I guess they might not be hungry because of absorbing the yolk? Idk...
They will sleep and eat throughout the day if they’re under a heat lamp.
Is the broody back on the eggs?
I hope this works!

Yes she is back on the eggs but still in the nest box. We were going to move her when I discovered her slacking off in the dust bath. I decided it best to leave her where she has been brooding. Then tomorrow if she has accepted them I will move her.

Oh, and he said they were hatched yesterday.

 

[littleprairieheartsfarm]

I’m snuggling with them while watching tv tonight until my hens are are all in bed. I think I’m going to give it a go. I thought about sending the yellow out tonight and monitoring the smaller one in the brooder but it would probably do better with a buddy.

They are both snuggled in a toasty heated blanky cave.

Let us know how this goes! Fingers crossed everything works out for you.

 

[Morrigan]

I would put them under her. I had one mail-shipped chick that was doing poorly, but rebounded after I placed her under Momma hen. If it doesn't make it, it may not have been hardy enough regardless of what you did.

Young chicks can be sleepy, so hopefully that is just it.

 

[Morrigan]

If she does accept them, make sure there is water and food within reach of mom and chicks tomorrow.

 

[MizzClucker]

Ok, chick transfer complete. She seems to have accepted them despite my lack of stealth. As soon as I opened the nest box lid she heard the peeping and was very interested. I snuck the lethargic one in first and she covered it with her wing and settled right down. Then I tried to “sneak” the eggs out and she started pecking at me. Which she has never done, ever. And I’ve reached under her many times. I went to put the other under the other side and she sucked that one in too. It was almost like she was saying sit down and shut up. Then she started clucking that soft cluck one of you was mentioning.

I will go check her in an hour or so and if all is well I will get up early tomorrow and move her to the dog kennel/ straw hut we made so I can give them food and water.

Question, should I put the medicated chick starter and water with electrolytes in the kennel space with them? Or just let them go out and scavenge?

Also, we have 3 very good hunter female cats. Is that going to be a concern or will they stick close to broody and she will protect them?

 

[Morrigan]

Clucking to the chicks is a great sign! Thanks for updating us.

I generally put food and water right in front of them (in the kennel in your case). Momma will probably want to linger on the nest for day or two, and it is good if the chicks have access to food and water, particularly since they are already a couple days post-hatch.

I have no idea about the cats. If the cats have strong prey drives, I guess I would be a little concerned, as the chicks may stray a bit from Mom. I just don't know, having not raised chickens with cats before.

Let us know how she is in the morning. Seeing a broody hen with chicks is one of my favorite things about chicken keeping.

 

[littleprairieheartsfarm]

Clucking to the chicks is a great sign! Thanks for updating us.

I generally put food and water right in front of them (in the kennel in your case). Momma will probably want to linger on the nest for day or two, and it is good if the chicks have access to food and water, particularly since they are already a couple days post-hatch.

I have no idea about the cats. If the cats have strong prey drives, I guess I would be a little concerned, as the chicks may stray a bit from Mom. I just don't know, having not raised chickens with cats before.

Let us know how she is in the morning. Seeing a broody hen with chicks is one of my favorite things about chicken keeping.

x2

The cats may be a problem though. Our cat leaves our chicks alone, but I’ve learned this to be a rare occasion. Have you ever noticed them be interested in the chickens?

 

[pennyJo1960]

be wary of the cats we have three outside they will and have eaten small chicks have two small coops I keep chicks in now cats cannot get them

 

[New2Chicks97]

I would make a cat proof pen for them at least. Our outdoor cat won’t have a go at the full size girls but I am certain he would eat a chick. He caught and killed numerous wild quail last year so cats are quite capable hunters.

 

[MizzClucker]

So I moved her. She no longer likes me and my shenanigans pecked at my hands a lot, but very gentle pecks. I brought the chicks to the water and food then pushed them towards her as I couldn’t sneak in the back, I had to crawl in there. The yellow ran to her and she pecked it. She pecked them both a few more times then I lifted her breast up and the yellow one scurried underneath. The dark one needed to be nudged. But she seems to accept them once they are under. I will have to check on them frequently.