Foster mom?

[GalloRubio]

so we have a black cochin bantam hen. she is very friendly. i've heard that cochins are good foster moms. next week we are buying chicks. i was thinking maybe i should put the chicks with her. hopefully she will take care of them and show them how to be a chicken. is it a good idea?

 

[Angiebubs]

Is your hen currently broody? I havent heard of anyone getting a hen to take care of chicks when the hen wasnt already broody, but would love to hear if this has happened and what others did to encourage it. (I have chicks arriving in April and am crossing my fingers I have a broody hen. Sure should be as there has always been someone broody-even had one during the coldest winter days-kept my eggs from freezing but none right now)