Giving chicks to a broody hen.

[donrae]

None of my broody hens would have adopted chicks this long after hatch. After about 3 days, they've identified who is "theirs" and who isn't. Any other chick is seen as an interloper and driven away.

If you're determined to try, be available constantly to be able to pull them out and have the brooder ready to go.

I"m also a huge advocate for raising chicks in the flock. My rooster won't tolerate other hens doing more than giving a chick a manners check peck. The flock teaches them good manners, and they're seamlessly part of the flock from day one. You do need enough space, and appropriate feed and water stations though.

 

[carolinat2012]

I put the broody hen in a separate coop because I didn't have enough room in the other coop for her to get out and walk around with the chicks and because the coop is pretty high off the ground. I kept her and the chicks in the coop with the other chickens for several days but it was over 100 degrees and i felt she needed more room. She is still visible to the other chickens as her coop is right next to theirs. I will try to give her more chicks and I'll be there to intervene if anything goes wrong. If it doesn't work out the brooder will be set up and ready to go. Also, I don't have a rooster to keep anyone in check. I'd love to have one but I don't think my neighbors would be very happy. Thanks to everyone for their help.

 

[widelacing]

I only mean to keep the broody separate for the first couple days. I like to put my mothered chicks in with the flock early, it makes them hardier and more confident.

 

[widelacing]

One more thought; Give them to her at night. I have had better success that way.

 

[carolinat2012]

Yeah that's what i was thinking of doing. Thank you.

 

[triplepurpose]

i dont think it sounds like agreat idea. hen and chicks bond early on, and i dont see a hen who's alresdy been caring for chicks for that long being likely to adopt more day old chicks, or for the old ones to welcome the new ones. and day olds having to compete for feed and space with 5 week olds sounds ugly and really unfair...

you could prove me wrong... but knowing chickens i think its not likely. definitely have a well prepared plan B if you are going to try it, and id second not doing it if you cant be there to monitor...

 

[carolinat2012]

Thanks for your input. Like I said, the brooder will be ready for the new chicks. And I will definitely be there to intervene if it doesn't work out. My original plan was to just put them in the brooder from the get go. I asked if it was possible to put them with the other chicks and hen because I wasn't sure.

 

[Weehopper]

Pretty big age difference. Personally, I would not do it.

 

[blasterssen]

Two days ago I've put a day old chick from another broody with a group of 2 week old chicks and their momma (14 in total) and everything went perfect. Nobody noticed anything suspect and the lil chick integrated pretty well. It must be said that prior to integration I made sure that chick can walk adequately well and keep up with the crowd.... but 5 weeks difference between baby chicks... it's quite an age gap. Personally I would not do it either.

How did it go?