Giving Chicks To Broody Hens

[roostersandhens]

I think it should be alright if she pecks them take them out but I have seen hens with up to 20 chicks

Okay. We're noticing that the chicks with her are so much happier than the chicks in the brooder, so I want as many to have a mom as possible.

 

[krista74]

You can certainly try, but do it under close supervision, and the earlier the better. At some point she will stop and think "This is my family" and if you try to add more she might be quite aggressive to them.

I'd dump them all in at once and see how she reacts. If she doesn't seem worried, and she doesn't peck at them - all good. But if you notice she looks upset by it - getting vocal, pacing, pecking - get them out quick. It doesn't take long for things to go bad, so be ready to whip them out if needs be.

If you get all of the chicks under/near her, and she still looks calm after an hour, I'd say you're safe. But I really would do them all at once, because at some point she will think new chicks are strangers and not hers.

Good luck! I'm keen to see how it goes.

Krista x

 

[roostersandhens]

We added 4 more this morning and she was totally fine with it! She has 10 chicks now. We aren't going to give her anymore. I don't want her to be overwhelmed!

 

[krista74]

How many more do you have?

 

[roostersandhens]

10

 

[Peep-Chicken]

10

I had a cochin raise 15 broilers. Most broilers have passed, but lived a good year or so.

 

[roostersandhens]

 

[hitchyourwagon]

I have a bloody hen and some eggs in the incubator a week away from hatching. If I put some of those eggs under the hen so that she completes the incubation will that break her bloody trance when they hatch?

 

[krista74]

I have a broody hen and some eggs in the incubator a week away from hatching. If I put some of those eggs under the hen so that she completes the incubation will that break her broody trance when they hatch?

She probably won't want to sit on the nest anymore after they've hatched, if that's what you mean. She will focus on raising the newly hatched chicks instead. It could be some time before she lays eggs again though.

Either way, I suspect she should hatch them out just fine as long as you are 100% sure she is broody. I would 'test' her and see if she stays on the nest for the next day and night. If she does, then give her the eggs.

Good luck!

- Krista

 

[SouthHouse]

It will break her broody trance but chances are she will abandon the other eggs if they haven't hatched within a day or so. We've twice had hens abandon remaining unhatched eggs within 24 hours after the first chicks hatched.
I found that any transfers are best done at night. The coop denizens are calm and seem to accept whatever they find come sun up.