Did the mama kill this chick?**Update in OP**

[MesMama]

Do you have any other broody hens? Maybe try Again with someone new but introduce all the eggs at the same time

I don't have any more that are broody right now

 

[MesMama]

Maybe if it hatches in the night she won't kill it? That's what I'm hoping happens, not sure what else to expect or think at this point.

 

[MesMama]

When did this separation happen, and how long was she kept with those chicks?

How long might it take for her to let go of those other chicks and accept the new ones? She stole some eggs from another nest and those are due to hatch Friday, maybe she'll be okay by then? I wondered about putting some cardboard between their pens so she can't see the chicks? I can attach it to the divider

 

[MesMama]

Update in the OP

 

[junebuggena]

Sorry for not getting back to you sooner, I've been sick with a raging fever. Basically, when you've got a broody hen that you want to hatch out eggs, you keep her in her own little area so she doesn't feel threatened or stressed out by having all the other chickens around. Once the eggs start hatching, you have about a 2 day window or so to introduce any new chicks to her if you want her to raise both her own chicks and other chicks. After that, she will likely kill any chicks that you leave with her because she will not accept them as 'hers'. You jumped the gun and gave her chicks to bond with a week before her's hatched. It's too late now for her to 'adopt' any other chicks. And it's likely that she's already beginning to transition from broody sitting hen, to momma hen. Giving her more eggs to incubate will not send her back into 'sitting' mode. Next time you have a broody hen, keep her in a nice, quiet place and let her hatch her eggs. If you want her to 'adopt' chicks, don't introduce them until her eggs have started hatching.

 

[MesMama]

Sorry for not getting back to you sooner, I've been sick with a raging fever. Basically, when you've got a broody hen that you want to hatch out eggs, you keep her in her own little area so she doesn't feel threatened or stressed out by having all the other chickens around. Once the eggs start hatching, you have about a 2 day window or so to introduce any new chicks to her if you want her to raise both her own chicks and other chicks. After that, she will likely kill any chicks that you leave with her because she will not accept them as 'hers'. You jumped the gun and gave her chicks to bond with a week before her's hatched. It's too late now for her to 'adopt' any other chicks. And it's likely that she's already beginning to transition from broody sitting hen, to momma hen. Giving her more eggs to incubate will not send her back into 'sitting' mode. Next time you have a broody hen, keep her in a nice, quiet place and let her hatch her eggs. If you want her to 'adopt' chicks, don't introduce them until her eggs have started hatching.

Not a problem Sorry you've been sick! Hope you are feeling better ((hugs))

Okay, so that makes sense about needing to have them separate, I've read that but then also read people leaving them together and having success that way too-guess it really depends on the bird :/ I think the whole broody thing is way more involved than what I thought it would be, so I may do the incubator route from now on and just remove eggs from the nests daily.

Thank you for your help

 

[Chickster72]

Oh Man, do I understand the rose colored glasses thing. Lol. About 3 weeks ago I had the same dream. Its quickly turning into a nightmare. My Barred Rock went broody & I thought it would be fun to let her hatch her own chicks. Well, now I'm battling two broody hens on one nest. I've found 3 crushed eggs with dead embryos & one dead chick with absolutely no shell (???). Hatching day is upon me & its been 100 degrees plus for days...107 yesterday. Not gonna let up for at least a week. I'm sure this heat is killing my remaining eggs. She should have 8 left under her. I'm at my wits end. I work every day too & can't fully supervise. I guess I'm gonna just let nature take its course but I'm not sure I ever want to do this again. So frustrated.

 

[MesMama]

Oh Man, do I understand the rose colored glasses thing. Lol. About 3 weeks ago I had the same dream. Its quickly turning into a nightmare. My Barred Rock went broody & I thought it would be fun to let her hatch her own chicks. Well, now I'm battling two broody hens on one nest. I've found 3 crushed eggs with dead embryos & one dead chick with absolutely no shell (???). Hatching day is upon me & its been 100 degrees plus for days...107 yesterday. Not gonna let up for at least a week. I'm sure this heat is killing my remaining eggs. She should have 8 left under her. I'm at my wits end. I work every day too & can't fully supervise. I guess I'm gonna just let nature take its course but I'm not sure I ever want to do this again. So frustrated.

((hugs)) Yep. Exactly how I'm feeling I hope your remaining 8 hatch okay!

This is just SO much harder than it "looks"

 

[Chickster72]

I'm keeping my fingers crossed too. I've decided to go ahead & separate her to a nursery yard today before its too late. I was going to leave her with the rest but may have better luck & no fighting & less stress for her. Much luck to you & your flock.

 

[MesMama]

I'm keeping my fingers crossed too. I've decided to go ahead & separate her to a nursery yard today before its too late. I was going to leave her with the rest but may have better luck & no fighting & less stress for her. Much luck to you & your flock.

Yeah I'm finding that's really the best thing is to separate them which makes me sad because I envy the people that can keep them all together

Thank you for your well wishes! Good luck to you as well