Day or Night- Putting Chicks Under Broody Hen

[Micmac1234]

To help the process even more, keep them somewhere without heat for a while before you give them to her. Turn the lamp off, or after you put them in whatever you'll transport them to her - box, crate, etc. - leave them in it for a while until they start getting a little chilly, so they have more incentive to stay under her once they feel her warmth. Chicks that are accustomed to a heat lamp don't necessarily know to go under something for heat, so they'll be confused at first and may try to come out, and she'll peck them to make them go back under (which is risky... if they resist more, she'll peck more, and the initial motherly concern may quickly turn dangerous). But if they are cold, and feel the warmth, they'll be more motivated to stay under her.

Oh that’s genius. How long do I leave the heat off? And is it okay if the hen hears the chirping?

 

[Sussex19]

I have done both, and it worked both times.
I don't think day or night makes as much difference as one might think.
The main thing is to get them under her, so she can't see them, (to start with) but can hear them, and feel them moving under her.
Btw, cats with broody hens are pretty much a none issue. (at least if your hen is anything like mine!) I have had cats sent flying, and never, ever, came near loosing a chick.

 

[Micmac1234]

I have done both, and it worked both times.
I don't think day or night makes as much difference as one might think.
The main thing is to get them under her, so she can't see them, (to start with) but can hear them, and feel them moving under her.
Btw, cats with broody hens are pretty much a none issue. (at least if your hen is anything like mine!) I have had cats sent flying, and never, ever, came near loosing a chick.

Oh yeah she will definitely be protective! I’ll monitor it to start for sure. So logistically… how would I get 6 chicks underneath her without her seeing? She’s very sweet to me and she’ll let me lift her but she watches me carefully. Is it just important that she can’t see them once they’re under?

 

[Sussex19]

Oh yeah she will definitely be protective! I’ll monitor it to start for sure. So logistically… how would I get 6 chicks underneath her without her seeing? She’s very sweet to me and she’ll let me lift her but she watches me carefully. Is it just important that she can’t see them once they’re under?

What I did was shield them with my hand, which is actually more important so she can't peck them, but also means she can't really see them.
But don't stress about it to much, while you are there is all different anyway.
I was more thinking of when they are under her, but even then if a chick comes out, don't stress about it, as she will most likely be fine.

 

[Micmac1234]

What I did was shield them with my hand, which is actually more important so she can't peck them, but also means she can't really see them.
But don't stress about it to much, while you are there is all different anyway.
I was more thinking of when they are under her, but even then if a chick comes out, don't stress about it, as she will most likely be fine.

I like the idea of doing it during the day so that I know I can monitor her. If I do it at night there’s always the chance something happened overnight (unlikely, I know) or that she wakes up before I get out there even though I have somewhat of an idea when they get up.

And because of this rat problem. I have to put her and the chicks into a rat proof box at bedtime and it’d be easier to do the chicks in the afternoon so she’s used to them. Then when I put her in the box she’s not stressing about me moving her while I’m also putting the chicks under her. I don’t doing those things at the same time would bode well…