Giving a broody hen some baby chicks

[wasauce]

Hi -

We have a Deleware hen that just went broody. Independent of this, we recently purchased some frizzle chicks that are now about 1 month old.

Can we try to get the broody Deleware to mother these chicks? Or are the chicks too old/too big to be considered her babies?

Thanks!

 

[sonew123]

Hi -

We have a Deleware hen that just went broody. Independent of this, we recently purchased some frizzle chicks that are now about 1 month old.

Can we try to get the broody Deleware to mother these chicks? Or are the chicks too old/too big to be considered her babies?

Thanks!

Eeesh.I would never try chicks that old under a hen that jut went broody...if you attempt it you better make sure your right there ir a while to make sure she doesnt attack them! Ive known some people attempt it with chicks that are two weeks old under a broody thats been sitting for weeks...some took them in with hesitation but the others attacked them;(

 

[jenkassai]

I just tried this myself with some day-olds. The hen had been broody for maybe two weeks. It was awful I put them with her at night. I watched to make sure things were okay. She looked confused, but seemed like she settled down. I left the coop (I'd set up an enclosure within the coop) to do some other stuff and came back later. I sat out there for a while, but it seemed like she was settling down to sleep so I felt good and went to get some sleep myself. When I checked first thing in the morning she had killed all but one of the babies I felt terrible!!!! I rushed the last baby back to the brooder, and ran to the hatchery to get her some company. The ladies at the hatchery said they'd never heard of anything like it, and maybe she hadn't been sitting long enough and her instinct told her those could not be her babies? Don't know, but don't know I'd try again, at least not with this hen!!!

 

[Chemguy]

Must be broody season. I put some chicks under a broody on Easter, and she took to them well. I was prepared for her to reject them, and had the brooder on hand just in case. The hen in question had been on an empty nest for about 10-14 days.

 

[sonew123]

Must be broody season. I put some chicks under a broody on Easter, and she took to them well. I was prepared for her to reject them, and had the brooder on hand just in case. The hen in question had been on an empty nest for about 10-14 days.

Yup...every situation is different and you got lucky but I wouldnt try it with one month old babies;( Jen K sorry about your babies!!!

 

[they'reHISchickens]

I second sonew's thoughts. One month chicks are often on their own in a flock situation. Our 3 week olds are leaving mama for lengthy time periods already!
I think whether or not a hen accepts day olds is very hen-specific and you can certainly try but you have to be careful. It can turn out very good or very bad. Birds imprint very early after hatching.

 

[myby]

I did that number today before noon. The eggs under this broody hen are due today or tomorrow, so i bought two pullets no idea what breed. She was not very welcoming but after hours both chicks are around her. The other hen that had only one chick 2 weeks ago was not niece at all with one of the chicks. I keep looking to see if there are babies coming from the eggs but nothing. She is not really taking them under her wing, but they are getting under her (the smallest one has found her way under her). I have to see what happens. I was told the breed of my hens (blue cochin) are very motherly and take those chicks as hers. We will see, i am afraid of bad news tomorrow morning.

 

[roostersandhens]

Hay i do not think you should give a broody hen her own chicks inless she hatched them herself. she prabably will not want to sit on chicks that are not hers.