Hi all. I am very new to this situation and have quite a few questions. So if you would bear with me. I have a Columbian Wyandotte who has gone broody for the first time. It's going on 4 days now. I have tried to break her but she is pretty subborn and I hate to disrupt mother nature. I've been toying with the idea of picking up a couple of chicks from my local feed store to see if she would raise them. But not sure if that would be a good idea in case they might be sick, or is there any other way other than hatching eggs. I don't have a incy if she doesn't follow through. I read something on a thread here which lead me to wonder, Would I be able to place them under her at anytime during her broodiness or would I have to wait for approx 21 days. Someone said to add them if the hen is sitting on eggs (which mine are not) close to hatch day. If I can add them at anytime would I place them under her at night so whe wakes up to them? Also I don't have a big walk in coop so don't have room to put any type of cage for them. Can I block off a small area for them and leave them in the coop or should I remove them completely. I have read that some do and some leave them and let the mothers take care of things. They have a run and don't free range. I have 3 others in with her. 2 Barred Rocks who are very sweet and docile and a Light brown Leghorn who's skittish but non agressive. They all get along beautifully. I would really like to give a go at this but am nervous. Also questions about feeding them seperate if they stay in the coop. Any and all info would be of great help. Your answers will be my deciding factor. Thanks for any and all your help. My apologies for rambling. Patti
