Dumb question

[JustAChickenLoverOverHere]

Hi all,

I am assuming the answer of this question is obvious, but m desperate so here it is! Can you give a chicken that isn't broody a chick? and will it take her of it? I assume the answer is no, but iv done lots of research and I am truly desperate for an answer. Thanks.

Don't worry! There are no dumb questions! It wouldn't be a good idea at all to give a non-broody hen a chick. She could kill it by pecking it or stepping on it. She will not take care of it.

 

[Gallinarium]

Iv been recommended waiting for 21 day.

Yes, 21 days is a lot better. But a lot of people assume either if it's a hen, she'll take chicks, or if she's been broody for a day, she'll take chicks.
Mine was actually broody for 27 days before her chicks arrived from a hatchery.

 

[YES House Chickens]

Hi all,

I am assuming the answer of this question is obvious, but m desperate so here it is! Can you give a chicken that isn't broody a chick? and will it take her of it? I assume the answer is no, but iv done lots of research and I am truly desperate for an answer. Thanks.

Been there and it is scary. My suggestion is to make them a house chicken. They are easy to house, keep clean and are fun pets too. I converted a dog crate into an indoor pen for one chick. I handled it daily let it follow me. I had a special call just for her. She sat on my shoulder, chose me as her perch at night when I watched tv. Best pet. Train early to wear a diaper. I had six cats two dogs and humans in the home.. NONE of them bothered her and she would even go after them! Best pet ever. Once she is grown you may be able to put her out in coop but i have had no luck with that. As the pecking order is already established and well chickens can be very mean to newbies. I had my one bird inside for 8yrs. Currently have a Senior Chicken she is 12ys and inside also.. Vet was shocked to hear a chicken lived that long. Smiles mission accompolished! so YES you CAN have HOUSE CHICKENS!

 

[bobbi-j]

What are the circumstances? Last summer I had an orphaned 2-week old chick. I had some 5-week olds (I think - I’ll have to double check that) as well. I tried to keep the little one separated until it was big enough to join them, but she kept trying to escape her enclosure to get to them. I was afraid she would hurt herself, so I put one of the older ones in with her. While the older one didn’t mother or nurture the little one, she tolerated and they eventually bonded and were the best of friends (until the weasel attack in December that killed them both.)

ETA - the it was an 8 week old pullet that I put in with the baby.

 

[YES House Chickens]

Hi,
Could you please rephrase your question? I would like to better understand your concern so I may know how offer workable suggestions.

 

[YES House Chickens]

I am partial. I like chickens as house pets I would keep it in house because I cant watch coop 24/7 to protect the young bird.. I had a chicken that was severly harmed by other chickens when they were put in as a newbie... The birds almost killed it in seconds....This bird was four months old fully feathered and good body weight.

However if that is not practical this may help you. When I have introduced a new bird or a new flock to the old I have a large cage 8ft by 4ft.. I put the large cage in the main coop. Keep the new bird or new flock in the large cage for at least a month. They could see each other, smell and peck each other thru the cage but no harm is done. I was able to watch the flocks for hours after I opened the door of large cage. I let a couple of old flock into new flock cage.. there were squabbles but I put more fruit then I had chickens so everyone had some to eat even if they were chased off what they were eating and everyone ate just fine.. Moved fruit to main cage and all were eating it just fine.. After food was gone I put newbies back in their cage. I did this several times a day. At night i caged up newbies and did the process over again each day for one week. Test letting newbies out for a few hours before you leave the cage open and all birds can come and go freely in it.. The cage still acts as a shelter for the newbies.. A safe place in their minds.. After about two months or so of them being together I removed the newbie cage and all is well.

Do not rush the process. Your chick will pay the price

 

[rosemarythyme]

In rare cases a non broody will take chicks, but it's pretty unusual. This thread might be fun to read: https://www.backyardchickens.com/threads/we-know-broody-hens-how-about-a-nanny-hen.1407935/ but this is a bird with a proven history of being able to raise chicks.