Can an 11 month broody buff orpinton take care of chicks? How do you get a hen to adopt chicks?

[Danny188]

I got the 4 chicks I ordered from the hardware store two days ago I have them in the brooder, but I have a broody hen, so I thought I could kill two birds with one stone (pun intended) I could get that hen to stop brooding and I could get to see the chicks following there mom around teaching them things. I hear it also makes the intoducton to the flock better. I dont know if I want to do it yet becuse the hen doesn't act completely broody it runs around with the flock most of the day then from 3 in the afternoon till morning it sits in a nest box, this might be just becuse I take the eggs out from under it at the end of the day though, it plucked all its feathers out on its belly. Do i have to be concerned about its type of broodyness or age? And how do I get it to adopt these chicks? Its also having a mini molt like the rest of the flock will this affect anything?

 

[sourland]

Generally fostering of chicks is most successful if the hen has been setting for close to 21 days, is an experienced mother, and the chicks are day olds. You can try by slipping the chicks under her at night, but be up early to monitor the next morning as there is a high probability this will not work.

 

[Danny188]

Generally fostering of chicks is most successful if the hen has been setting for close to 21 days, is an experienced mother, and the chicks are day olds. You can try by slipping the chicks under her at night, but be up early to monitor the next morning as there is a high probability this will not work.

Ok so of its more likely not to work I dont think im going to try it.

 

[sourland]

Ok so of its more likely not to work I dont think im going to try it.

I believe that's probably a good decision.

 

[Mvan42]

Leave a few eggs for her. Mark them so you know the ones make sure she is broody before you even try to give her chicks. I have heard of giving a hen chicks after a week or so of broodiness. I haven’t done that but I did have a hen hatch one chick (the only egg she had ) and then take in some three week old chicks I already had. It was funny arching the bigger chicks and a littler one follow mama around

 

[Mvan42]

Also if you do try keep an eye on her to make sure she won’t hurt them.

 

[Danny188]

Also if you do try keep an eye on her to make sure she won’t hurt them.

Ok if I cant resist the urge to keep the chicks in the brooder I will keep an eye on her.

 

[Mvan42]

Ok if I cant resist the urge to keep the chicks in the brooder I will keep an eye on her.

The smaller the better, but make sure she is broody first. And be prepared to put them back in the brooder if she doesn’t accept them. Also will this be her first time being broody. Sorry if I missed that.

 

[Danny188]

The smaller the better, but make sure she is broody first. And be prepared to put them back in the brooder if she doesn’t accept them. Also will this be her first time being broody. Sorry if I missed that.

Yes its her first time being broody sorry I never mentioned that.

 

[Mvan42]

Yes its her first time being broody sorry I never mentioned that.

I personally would leave them in the brooder and give her an egg or two. Just to see how she will do. You never know how a first timer will do.