Giving incubated chicks to a broody hen

[Rethia]

Hi all! I'm on my third incubate of eggs and entering new territory. My friend has two broody hens, a young (6-7mo) Americauna that's been sitting for a few weeks, and another young hen that's a barred rock that's about the same age.

I have two questions, mostly.

1. What's the best time of day to switch out the eggs with the chicks after they've hatched? I've seen differing opinions on whether it's better to do it when the hen is asleep or in the evening before sleeping or super early morning so you can keep an eye on the hen's behavior with the chicks.

2. I know that young broodys aren't always supposed to be the best moms and I know it's kind of a gamble with any untested mom. How long do you need to monitor the mom hen's behavior before you can tell that she's actually accepted the chicks?

Thanks! Two of thirteen eggs have pipped so figured I should get the timing figured out.

 

[DobieLover]

What's the best time of day to switch out the eggs with the chicks after they've hatched?

It's best to do it after nightfall when it is dark and the hen can't see well. Slip your hand under her and remove all the eggs and then one by one slip the chicks under her. You may need to slip them in from the side or back if she's going to peck at your hands because she may reach under an accidentally peck a chick.

How long do you need to monitor the mom hen's behavior before you can tell that she's actually accepted the chicks?

The hen is usually still in a broody trance when you put the chicks under her at night. As long as she doesn't reach under herself and start pecking that's a good sign. Stay out for a few minutes and make sure she just settles down. Then be out before dawn in the morning to see how she is with the chicks. If she's still just sitting there and the chicks are peeping or moving around under her all is well. Check on her a few times during the day to make sure that things are still good. If she starts talking to them that is an excellent sign that she has fully accepted them.

 

[KS_Chicken_Wrangler]

It's best to do it after nightfall when it is dark and the hen can't see well. Slip your hand under her and remove all the eggs and then one by one slip the chicks under her. You may need to slip them in from the side or back if she's going to peck at your hands because she may reach under an accidentally peck a chick.

The hen is usually still in a broody trance when you put the chicks under her at night. As long as she doesn't reach under herself and start pecking that's a good sign. Stay out for a few minutes and make sure she just settles down. Then be out before dawn in the morning to see how she is with the chicks. If she's still just sitting there and the chicks are peeping or moving around under her all is well. Check on her a few times during the day to make sure that things are still good. If she starts talking to them that is an excellent sign that she has fully accepted them.

Wonderful info. I have a broody Australorp and I want to break her of it. I thought why not just grab a few chicks to do the job for me. Glad to have a place with such resources for great information!

 

[BigBlueHen53]

Lol, that's the ideal. Our broody mama was not in a trance when we went to put chicks under her. She went into Full DefCom Alert mode and started attacking my hands, arms and face, and even the chicks. I enclosed the chicks in my hand and stuffed them under her anyway. I gave her six to start with. She tucked them under her and dared me approach her again. I didn't! The following morning we put the 2nd broody mama and the rest of the chicks in with her, and let them sort themselves out - 21 chicks in all! They've all survived. DefCom Mom, along with SweetMom, has been mothering them beautifully - and viciously - ever since.

 

[DobieLover]

Lol, that's the ideal. Our broody mama was not in a trance when we went to put chicks under her. She went into Full DefCom Alert mode and started attacking my hands, arms and face, and even the chicks. I enclosed the chicks in my hand and stuffed them under her anyway. I gave her six to start with. She tucked them under her and dared me approach her again. I didn't! The following morning we put the 2nd broody mama and the rest of the chicks in with her, and let them sort themselves out - 21 chicks in all! They've all survived. DefCom Mom, along with SweetMom, has been mothering them beautifully - and viciously - ever since.

I had a DefCom mom... ONCE! No way am I going to have a hen go Kung fu on my face again. I liken that level of nuts to a rooster that reacts overly aggressively to humans and can't understand threat levels. I didn't want that type of behavior learned by the chicks.

This level is just fine.

 

[BigBlueHen53]

I had a DefCom mom... ONCE! No way am I going to have a hen go Kung fu on my face again. I liken that level of nuts to a rooster that reacts overly aggressively to humans and can't understand threat levels. I didn't want that type of behavior learned by the chicks.

This level is just fine.
View attachment 4187230

Good point, lol. I'll keep that in mind.

 

[KS_Chicken_Wrangler]

Bought some Black Sex Links at TSC and put them under mama tonight. I increased the fake egg number under her for the past couple of days to plan to put multiple chicks under her. Got just the response I wanted; soft, excited clucking and she tucked them under with her beak. Set up food and water (moved mama's nest box into a dog kennel on the floor of the coop, so the rest of the flock can see but not touch), and put back one wayward chick before I left. I'll head back out at dawn to see if everything is on the up-and-up.