Faking out a broody hen?

[Frannabelle]

Is it possible to fake out my broody cochin bantam hen by placing newly hatched chicks in her nest? Or is it more she'll either accept them or give them the big peck? (in that case I would get them away from her ASAP!)

 

[Lollipop]

Both scenarios are possible, so be watchfull. Best chances of her accepting the chicks are if she`s been on some eggs for a couple weeks or so. The chicks need to be as close to day olds as possible and the swap (eggs for chicks) needs to be done at night, in the dark, so as to stress her as little as possible. You must be there in the morning when she wakes up to assure that she accepts them. Good luck.........Pop

 

[Frannabelle]

That's what I was thinking...swap them at night after everyone's calm. I will have day old chicks in a week, and just thought why not try it, it would be great if a Mama could raise them up
thanks!

 

[Steve_of_sandspoultry]

It really depends on the hen, some will take right to them others not. The thing with incubated chicks is they won't know the hens "cluck" and don't always follow her. We always put them together in a small area for a while until they learn.

Steve

 

[consdrs]

I "grafted" 4 day-olds to two broody's in the same nest box 3 weeks ago. they are co-mothering beautifully. I would never brood chicks again if I could have a broody hen do it. I did exactly like pop said and did it at night. watching a hen with chicks is amazing. they now roost with all the others in the flock. good luck!

 

[Frannabelle]

Quote:
I like this....So it does work if you do it at night? This is my hope, never having to set up a brooder again! I will, but it would be soooo nice

 

[Lollipop]

Perch, it`s like Steve said. It really depends on the hen and not just that, but on her maturity and experience. That`s why I said "Be there when she wakes up". Could work like a charm, but it could also be a disaster.......Pop

 

[consdrs]

Quote:
I like this....So it does work if you do it at night? This is my hope, never having to set up a brooder again! I will, but it would be soooo nice

you have no idea how nice it is!! I checked them at first light and all was well had to lift both hens up to see where my 4 chicks were. no brooder box, no lamps, no dust in house. you would be hard pressed to get me to brood chicks without a broody! I fenced them off from the rest for 2 weeks and then let them mingle and there was no trouble at all!

 

[mom2jedi]

I just did this last Friday with my broody. She'd been sitting in different nests with no eggs for three weeks. I was trying to break her by shooing her out of the nest and taking all eggs but she was determined. I finally broke down and got a couple of two day olds and stuck them under her that night. She took to them just fine and has had a blast with them for the last week. She is so happy!

 

[consdrs]

Quote:

Yeah for her! my two moms are so great!