Fostering chicks - chicks are up, but broody hen is still in nest box

[jennieinmi]

Hello,
I am attempting to foster chicks onto a broody Buff Orpington. She was broody for a couple of weeks and I put 5 2 day-old store bought chicks under her 2 nights ago. She seemed to be pecking at them yesterday when they would peek their heads out from under her, but they are all surviving and up and about eating. They did not go under her last night, so I put them all back under her and they were there this morning and then they all got up and started eating. So there are no eggs or chicks under mama hen, but she is still laying on nest box and does not seem very interested in the chicks. As they were popping out from under her this morning, she pecked at them a little, but once they moved away from her to eat, she lost interest. Do you think I should give up and raise them by hand or do you think she will become a mama to my chicks? I feel worried that they are afraid of her and won't go to her for warmth when they get cold. It's going to be in the 70s today.

 

[chickengeorgeto]

I think that two weeks is a little too soon to try to foster chicks on a sitting hen. But she may warm to the idea as her hormones change or mature as she gets nearer to the 3 week mark.