Has she accepted them???

[remuda1]

I put two chicks under a first time broody leghorn last night. I haven't seen them since.....I am concerned that they haven't eaten or had anything to drink. She's keeping them under her and I don't know if this is normal or if I should pull them back out. Can anyone help me with this?

ETA: They are 3-4 days old.

 

[remuda1]

Uhhh, nevermind LOL! She's getting four more tonight. It's so nice when things work out the way they are s'posed to. I bought the chicks before reading up on slipping them under a broody and realized too late I should have let her sit much longer before attempting it. But, we had to give it a try. She's only been on eggs for a few days. I let her listen to the chicks yesterday for a while without seeing them and then swapped two chicks in for two eggs last night. If this hadn't worked, I have had 6 chicks in a brooder (didn't really want to go THERE right now), AND I would still have had a broody hen. This really is a big relief

 

[kellysmall87]

Some hens take any chick under their wings. Some don't. Today, my broody silkie caved the head in on one of her own chicks! It's still alive and I'm hoping it makes it.

Lift the leghorn off for a bit of a run or feed etc - unless it gets off by itself- and then take a look. She will peck you silly though - oven gloves might be an idea. Careful if and when you lift her than her chick isn't attached to you aswell and you hurt it.

 

[kellysmall87]

ahh you posted as i did. Glad it worked out for you. I dont know what my silkie was playing at ..

 

[remuda1]

Thanks for replying Kelly. So sorry to hear about your silkie chick, sure hope it makes it. I hope mine continues to care for the chicks. They are all Ameraucanas (the chicks) and I plan to keep the two I like the best and sell the other four. Of course, by that time comes I will probably have decided to keep them all but it will really be nice to have a hen raise them for me. Best of luck with your little one.

 

[CorinneP]

Don't be surprised if sometimes you go to take a peek and cant see the babies they can really tuck them tight under a wing sometimes and hold on well .. But that would be proof shes taking care of it

 

[kellysmall87]

Sounds like your hen is doing a great job. Hated taking my chicks from her hen but I couldn't risk her killing them. The injured one is doing fine and im syringe feeding it sugared water to boost it up, and applying medicated cream to the injuries.
You probably will end up keeping them all! The plan for me was to sell three or four and keep a couple, but yesterday I went to buy another coop...

 

[remuda1]

Glad to hear the chick is doing well. It's amazing how resilient they are. I went ahead and put the other four chicks out there last night. I really thought she might be overwhelmed by so many at one time and reject one or more. Especially since there is one that is very dark. This is how things look this morning: Pretty fancy accomodations too! Haha, I couldn't be happier and it seems like she's pretty happy too, lol! Hoping for continued improvement with your chick.

 

[kellysmall87]

I put my chick in with the others today and it's been feisty and pecked at a couple when they went for the food. So glad it is strong and wont be a runt of the flock.
All looks well.

As for your picture... it's so very cute! She looks so content with those babies

 

[remuda1]

Thumbs up, Kelly! Glad to hear it