hens hatching, let them keep the chicks or get my brooder?

[Wendy'sChicksRock]

How long will the hen stay "broody" the chick she hatched is a week old and mom dosent like me to come near her or baby.changing the water and adding chick feed sends her into panic mode.she pecks me and tries to get me with her feet...she is also either pulling out her feathers or starting to molt....whts up with mc nasty momma??

 

[Tawodi]

here are the mamas, you can see an egg they are guarding. the phoenix on the right was so burried under the bigger hen, i thought a coyote had gotten her, i didnt see her for two days.

 

[MeowCluckBark]

Oh my gosh this is so sweet. I love that they are getting in there together! LOL I think it's even cooler that big mama there let the phoenix 'help'

 

[Illia]

To me the biggest point and plus in using broody hens is in the hens raising the chicks. I vote let the hen do the work. With a brooder, a chick relies constantly, 24/7, on a high amount of heat you pay for and food you provide and pay for. With a broody hen, a chick can be just fine running around in 30 degree weather because the hen allows it to adapt to that cold temp at such early age. Also, the hen teaches the chick to find its own food, cutting down your need to pay for it.

Course, if you have chickens in a small dirt or gravel bottomed run, then the feed you'll still have to provide and pay for.