Can I put chicks under a semi broody hen?

[scoopsmom]

My turkey aka Australorp

Right now my flock consists of a barred rock pullet and an austrlorp both 9 months old. I had some losses but now I'm working on building my flock. Today I just got 2 baby chick Australorps from a local feedstore.

First question : If I decide to stick them under my pullet, do I first need to quarantine the chicks and for how long?

My other question is about my Austrlorp pullet. Lately she has been puffing up and fanning out her tail when I come close. She does this while walking around--she hasn't started just sitting in her nest although I've stopped collecting the eggs for a few days to encourage her to go broody. She is the sweetest girl and very shy, so I definitely don't think it's an aggressive behavior because she will still let me pick her up and sit in my lap. Also, I have seen HUGE poops in their area so... Is she on the verge of going broody or just a weirdo?

 

[Birds of a Feather]

Probably not a good idea. It doesn’t sound like she is fully broody.

 

[ButtonquailGirl14]

I wouldn't do it!! She would probably kill them.. in order to do that, you must remove eggs from a dedicated broody, and stick the chicks under her in the middle of the night.

 

[WhoDatChick]

She doesn’t sound broody.. my Silkie was broody for at least a month.. never wanting to leave the nest.. and the other day I gave her some Cochin bantams.. it took a couple of days for her to snap out of broody mode .. she is now in mama mode

 

[scoopsmom]

I wouldn't do it!! She would probably kill them.. in order to do that, you must remove eggs from a dedicated broody, and stick the chicks under her in the middle of the night.

OK thank you! I've always been apprehensive about doing that to begin with

 

[scoopsmom]

She doesn’t sound broody.. my Silkie was broody for at least a month.. never wanting to leave the nest.. and the other day I gave her some Cochin bantams.. it took a couple of days for her to snap out of broody mode .. she is now in mama mode View attachment 1725465

Omg so adorable! And that's an amazing picture!! I know silkie and Cochins make the best moms! I haven't read too much about Australorps being good moms tho?

 

[scoopsmom]

OK so then what on earth is this turkey fanning behavior?? This is totally new..

 

[WhoDatChick]

Omg so adorable! And that's an amazing picture!! I know silkie and Cochins make the best moms! I haven't read too much about Australorps being good moms tho?

Thanks! I have a thread on it .. Broody Silkie turned Adoptive Mother
And I can’t imagine what she is doing.. I’ve only had my chickens since last year.. I’m sure someone on here would know though..

 

[chicksandchores]

My buff Orpington lady was on the verge of broody for a few days and a user on here labeled her a “walking broody.” One of my other buffs has since taken this same action and I assume it’s the same thing; however I do hear that they can go walking broody and never decide to sit. I really wish mine would! And I hope yours does too, if you want her to!

OK so then what on earth is this turkey fanning behavior?? This is totally new..