Help me get a Broody hen to Adopt Feed Store Chicks.

[KrystalRose]

So I need help with getting a broody to adopt 3 feed store chicks I picked up today. Here is my situation. I have 2 broody hens that have been broody full on for at least a month, maybe more. Here are the contenders:

Buff Orpington: She has already plucked out all her belly feathers. When I put her down everyday to get scratch with the other hens, she lays on the ground where I set her down and scowls at me for a couple minutes before running off.

Easter Egger: She still has feathers, but sits just as hard. When I put her down everyday to get scratch she willingly runs off to eat treats.

Both have not been mamas before and are the same age and have been broody for the same amount of time.

I have a wire dog crate to put mama/chicks in inside the main coop. Do I put both hens in there tonight and see who accepts the new location, if both do then do I put the chicks in there with both hens to see which hen seems more accepting tomorrow night? Or should I pick one broody and go with it and hope for the best? Also do I need to heat the crate at first or let mama be the sole source of heat to help with bonding?

Well you know what I have, please help me with what to do.

 

[sourland]

If I had to make a choice, I would go with the orpington. Place the chicks under her tonight in her nest site - do not move her. This will give her overnight to bond with the chicks. Midday tomorrow move her and the chicks to your selected raising area. Using this method I have never had a hen refuse foster chicks.

 

[ShockValue]

My neighbor did this. Waited for about an hour after she knew everyone had settled in and was sleeping.. Then slipped the eggs out and the chicks in (Imagine Indiana Jones) Apparently the next morning it was just as she had hatched them

Orps are known to be good mamas.. The EE would be a who-knows, depending on her lineage.

 

[KrystalRose]

I like the idea of not moving the hen and attempting this tonight, however the nest box she is in is a couple feet off the ground. Here is a pic of the boxes, she is in a bottom one. They do have a lip but not sure if its high enough to keep chicks in. Or should I block the opening with cardboard or something? Also should I do one chick at a time or all 3 at once?

 

[KrystalRose]

 

[ShockValue]

Again, I'm no expert - but I would probably do all 3 at once, and put up a square of chicken wire until you could move them lower.

 

[KrystalRose]

Adoption successful! They spent the night with new mom and this morning they all met each other. After a some puzzled looks and a couple pecks, they were one happy family. Yay!

 

[KrystalRose]

 

[21hens-incharge]

Super cute and nice to have that broody there.