Can I get my broody Ayam Cemani to adopt some chicks?

[ayamEC]

My silkie has been broody for a month but did not know what on earth the chicks we snuck under her were. We also have a broody Ayam Cimani. She has been broody for 3 weeks and kicked our silkie out of her nest. The Ayam Cimani has hatched chicks before. We have 3 chicks under 1 week old. Should we try to get her to adopt them?

 

[EggSighted4Life]

My silkie has been broody for a month but did not know what on earth the chicks we snuck under her were. We also have a broody Ayam Cimani. She has been broody for 3 weeks and kicked our silkie out of her nest. The Ayam Cimani has hatched chicks before. We have 3 chicks under 1 week old. Should we try to get her to adopt them?

I have been successful adopting chicks UP TO 6 days old.

I would totally try to adopt them, usually during the night... just being vigilant the next day that they understand mama is the warm spot and learn to get back under her.

 

[ayamEC]

Ok, thank you.

 

[chickengeorgeto]

Chicks imprint on the first large moving object that they see post hatching. In the same way hens imprint on their nest location and the chicks that they perceive as their own flesh and blood. Any adoption that fails to take these facts of life into consideration will not be successful or at best be less successful than it could otherwise be..

 

[EggSighted4Life]

Chicks imprint on the first large moving object that they see post hatching. In the same way hens imprint on their nest location and the chicks that they perceive as their own flesh and blood. Any adoption that fails to take these facts of life into consideration will not be successful or at best be less successful than it could otherwise be..

That is incorrect in my experience and chicks do NOT imprint on the first large moving object the way geese or ducks might.

My chicks ALWAYS see ONLY me when I remove them from the incubator and care for them every day. Some hatch with fear already others do not. Even after seeing me for 3 or 4 days... they HAPPILY imprint on their new adoptive moms.... EVERY single time SO far. They do imprint on their adoptive mom usually within two or 3 days.

Please note... 6 days old would be a last resort. Younger IS better.

 

[chuckachucka]

Agree with EggSighted4Life 100%

 

[ayamEC]

Ok so the silkie took the chicks. She keeps trying to protect them but the Ayam Cimani keeps pecking at them. Can I make a box or something for the silkie and chicks? I worry the Ayam Cimani will hurt the chicks as they are still very little.

 

[EggSighted4Life]

Ok so the silkie took the chicks. She keeps trying to protect them but the Ayam Cimani keeps pecking at them. Can I make a box or something for the silkie and chicks? I worry the Ayam Cimani will hurt the chicks as they are still very little.

Yes you can do that if you need to. They shouldn't be side by side without some sort of separation.

I won't let my girls just sit and sit... they may sit their life away if nothing hatches, literally. I would suggest you break your AC gal by locking her away from the nesting area. Some people use a dog kennel or close the coop door or just keep kicking them out over and over and putting them up on roost after it's too dark to get back down for the night.

 

[EggSighted4Life]

Also quick note.. not all pecks are created equal. A hen could be protecting them by pecking them back under her while she is still learning their voice or their is other danger around... I have seen it, but it does take paying attention.

Best to avoid injury though. If she didn't feel them moving long enough or she may just not know what to do..

 

[ayamEC]

I moved the silkie and her chicks to a big dog kennel in the garage. She seems happy and we have let her take the chicks on a few walks out side but she mostly keeps them inside. The AC, we let outside of the chicken run for a day and she is no longer broody.