Help! Broody hen pecking at bator chicks I want her to adopt

[FlippyHippy]

Broody has been setting on eggs for 3 weeks, so she's definitely committed, but it's her first time. Just introduced a chick to her, and she pecked at it. Should I try later or at night, or is it set that she just won't accept them if she doesn't the first time?

 

[chickentrains]

How many times? Was it a curious peck, or was she seeming agressive? Mine pecked at the babies a few times, too. There was never a serious issue, though. Maybe just plop a few in there and watch them for awhile?

I've never had a hen raise babies, I've just introduced 8wk old babies to big hens.

 

[MarkJr]

How are you introducing?

I never show them. I distract her and put a handful under her from behind. They pop out from under her and she is happy.

Are these chicks fresh hatched? Are they where the hen can hear them?

 

[333113]

Wait until dark, then put the chick in under your hand so she can't see it. Tuck it in so it's under her and listen. The chick will probably make some noise, and when she responds to him with clucking instead of with warning growls, you have made the match.

 

[FlippyHippy]

How are you introducing?

I never show them. I distract her and put a handful under her from behind. They pop out from under her and she is happy.

Are these chicks fresh hatched? Are they where the hen can hear them?

I tucked it under her wing, but where she could see it. So that was maybe the wrong move.

They hatched since 6pm last night and overnight. I still have 2 eggs pipping and 3 eggs that candling are alive, but haven't pipped yet.


They're inside the house, and she's out in the coop.

Should I try to hide & tuck under her today, or wait til night?

 

[FlippyHippy]

Wait until dark, then put the chick in under your hand so she can't see it. Tuck it in so it's under her and listen. The chick will probably make some noise, and when she responds to him with clucking instead of with warning growls, you have made the match.

Okay - thank you! She clucked this time, no growls - but the pecking seemed aggressive.

I probably won't sleep if I am not sure she accepted the chick and it's at night. lol

 

[FlippyHippy]

How many times? Was it a curious peck, or was she seeming agressive? Mine pecked at the babies a few times, too. There was never a serious issue, though. Maybe just plop a few in there and watch them for awhile?

I've never had a hen raise babies, I've just introduced 8wk old babies to big hens.

Twice before I pulled him out. It felt aggressive, but I can't really tell.

Thank you!

 

[SulkyBantam]

I never show them. I distract her and put a handful under her from behind. They pop out from under her and she is happy.

Yes, then its almost like they hatched. Best option.

 

[JolieMN]

Hi everyone I’m new to chickens and I have a question. I have a hen that went broody one egg hatched this Sunday so Tuesday I went to the store and bought six more day old chicks. I placed them under her Tuesday night and she seemed to accept them. she did really good with them this morning and this afternoon I noticed she was pecking at them and not letting them into the nesting box with her only the one she hatched. one has a gash on its head so I pulled all of them out of the brooder box and brought them inside. The one she hatched on her own is yellow and the ones that I bought in the store or black. Does that make a difference? And do I try to put them under her again tonight or has she rejected them for good?

 

[ChickNanny13]

You can try again but it's possible you may have to raise the purchased separately. Not sure if color has anything to do with it although it's an interesting possibility. What breed is the hen? Purchased chicks?

You may want to start your own post, as this is an older posting and may not get the responses.