Hen raised chicks vs. hand raised chicks?

[Ridgerunner]

Here's a thread on this subject. It raises some points not yet discussed.

Raise with flock? thread
https://www.backyardchickens.com/forum/viewtopic.php?id=215937&p=1

How long a hen will mother chicks varies quite a bit. Other than the hen's personality and the strength of her broody instinct, I don't know what controls. Most broodies will take care of her chicks until they can take care of themselves but occasionally you will get one that does not..

 

[half-acre-homestead]

I am not even close to being an expert but I am going to throw my $.02 in anyway.

Last year I raised 25 chicks in a brooder. I handled them everyday. I still spend time with them almost daily. About half of them run away from me while the other half run to me. If I sit in a chair in the yard I will have several jump on my lap. I do think it goes by breed. All my friendly hens are BOs.

Just a couple weeks ago I a broody BO hatched 3 chicks. All three are different breeds. Two of the chicks run from me but the other lets me feed her.

I think it is definitely worth trying to let the hen raise them. It is so very precious to see how she cares for them and how they interact. I let them stay in the coop with all the others from the start. All the hens learned real quick not to mess with momma's babbies!

What ever you decide, good luck with your peeps!

Lorie

 

[paintedsavvy]

Thanks everyone. I think I will let her raise them. I know she has really strong protective instincts.

This morning she was off the nest for a dust bath and spotted my big 2 year old cat minding his own business across the yard. She puffed up and ran and attacked him twice until he went and hid under the steps of the deck! I could tell he had no idea why this crazy chicken was attacking him.