chicks and broodies

[kelidei]

This is my first experience with chicks under a broody and I am wondering do they acclimate faster to temp changes? With all my other chicks I did the heat lamp decreasing by 5 degrees a week--- I notice with the momma hen they seem to run around eat, drink, explore and then zip back under mom to warm up. It is 55 degrees in the garage--- it seems to me that perhaps the natural way helps them tolerate temp changes better then those brooded under a heat lamp alone.

 

[dacjohns]

I came home in November to a new chick that was hatched under a broody. They have been outside the entire time and the little chick isn't so little anymore. I think they probably do acclimate faster and have fewer problems.

 

[Happy Chooks]

I haven't hatched under a broody yet, but I've read here that they feather out faster when raised by a broody. I think it makes them more "hardy".

 

[chickenma]

The easy way and best way to raise a chicken is by momma chicken to do what she needs to do.
you just stand at the side and let nature take its course. And she is doing a great job with it.
My hen was alert when her chicks were getting cold and all of them run under her. They stand like that for a while and then they are good to go again.
Same thing for incubating eggs. Let momma hen do the work , no stress and no troubles with humidity or temperature. even if she steps away from the eggs a little bit they still hatch.
I just love broody hens. they are great.

 

[kelidei]

Quote:
I have just discovered that! It is amazing to watch her with them. Yesterday I put down a little scrambled egg (something Momma LOVES) and I watched---she called them out and then began taking little pieces and dropping it in front of them. She didn't eat any until they were done--- and then she snarfed down the rest! It is beautiful to watch how gentle and communicative she is with them.

To me it interesting because I have Aussies and BO's which are supposed to be the ones to go broody--- and it is one of my Dark Cornish that is brooding.