I have searched the message boards, but can't seem to find answers to the questions I have. I have 5 baby chicks, ranging from 3 weeks to 5 days old. I also have a BO that started going broody within the past couple days.
Can I put all the chicks under her? Right now we tried putting the two youngest in, and so far she's seemed to take them. Should we try the others?
Do we need to take the fake eggs out of the nest box? We have fake eggs in there for laying purposes, but the broody is now nuzzling and nesting them like they're her own. I am afraid that if she is focusing on the eggs, she might not take care of the chicks.
Do we need to separate the broody and the chicks? Right now they are in the normal egg box within the coop. If we do separate them, for how long? And then do we run into issues reintroducing the broody hen back into the flock, especially with chicks in tow? She is currently the alpha hen and I would hate to see that disrupted.
Those are all my questions - thanks for any input you have!
Can I put all the chicks under her? Right now we tried putting the two youngest in, and so far she's seemed to take them. Should we try the others?
Do we need to take the fake eggs out of the nest box? We have fake eggs in there for laying purposes, but the broody is now nuzzling and nesting them like they're her own. I am afraid that if she is focusing on the eggs, she might not take care of the chicks.
Do we need to separate the broody and the chicks? Right now they are in the normal egg box within the coop. If we do separate them, for how long? And then do we run into issues reintroducing the broody hen back into the flock, especially with chicks in tow? She is currently the alpha hen and I would hate to see that disrupted.
Those are all my questions - thanks for any input you have!
