Can you make a chicken accept chicks?

[SassyKat6181]

Not sure if this is the right area to post....

I ordered 10 ducks and received 4 male chicks as packing peanuts. I have a hen that has been sitting in the nest as long as there are eggs in it. Once I collect the eggs, she leaves. Is it possible to lock her up for the night in a crate and give her these little boys?

 

[Pinky]

I would see if would stay on the nest for two days. If she does, then she should accept the chicks with no problem.

 

[SassyKat6181]

I have to collect the eggs everyday....all 12 share one nest box (there are 3 available) She leaves once I take the eggs out. Say I were to lock her up and put the chicks under her at bedtime....what could be the worst case scenario?

 

[Pinky]

Lock her up one night with eggs first. If she sits on the eggs, you can try putting the chicks with her.
Does she look like this when you find her on a nest?

If so, then she should have no problem with the chicks.

 

[Mak]

If she leaves the nest then she is most likely not broody. A broody hen does not necessarily need eggs to sit. And if she is not broody, there is a very good chance she will not accept the chicks, will peck them and may kill them. If you want to try, I'd watch her very closely after putting the chicks there and plan on being right there in the morning when she wakes up. With a back up plan in case she does attack the babies.

 

[SassyKat6181]

She takes all the eggs and sits on them fluffed up until I take them. She will stand and let me take them and then leaves once she realizes they are all gone. I know that I shouldn't keep the chicks in the brooder with the ducks. I have 4 two-week old ducks that I moved into a pen in the coop because they were so wet and stinky. So I have three options: brood them with the ducks, let the BSL try to brood them, or put an ad on Craigslist to see if anyone wants them (most likely no since they are Roo's)