Grafting not going well! Help!!

[Stormyweather]

help!! I just got my 6 one day old hatchlings in the mail and am trying to graft them to a broody Easter egger hen. I put them with her and she keeps pecking them! I put them under her and she gets up and shoos them away. I’ve never done this before and am not sure what to expect but I read lots of commentary and articles before I tried it. When should I give up? They’ve been in there about an hour. I don’t want her to hurt them! Any suggestions or advice is appreciated. Thanks!!

 

[Matilda Belle]

You should try putting the eggs under her at night.

 

[wyoDreamer]

I've always heard to sneak them in at night.

 

[Cyprus]

You need to do it under cover of darkness

 

[sourland]

Has she been setting a minimum of 2 weeks ? And yes all are correct in that you should put them under her at night so that she slowly bonds with/imprints on them.

 

[Stormyweather]

Ok I will try again tonight! I wanted to be able to monitor more closely.... i know most do it at night but I read several posters that have done in the day. I took 5 of them out and back into their box with a heat lamp as they were in the corner alone. The 6th one was under her and she has kept it with her for several hours! Will put the other under tonight. Thanks for all the suggestions!

 

[Stormyweather]

And yes, she’s been sitting most of the summer!! Chronically broody.

 

[sourland]

Good luck. My gut says that by morning she will have decided that they are hers.

 

[Stormyweather]

Already things are better. Thank you, byc community for support. So stressful when little creatures lives are in my hands!!! But I slowly reintroduced them one by one and at nightfall put the last three under her and she was cooing contentedly an hour later with no signs of rejection. Whew. Hope this lasts!!

 

[Stormyweather]

And now it’s morning and all wen t well!! She has accepted them and all are happy and healthy for now. Wish us luck! Thank you, BYC!!!