Hens or Heat lamps ?

[jennysbrood]

I was wondering if it would be better to use a hen to keep new chicks warm and safe or use the typical box and heat lamp method ? I have Orpington hens which are all nice but one is especially sweet and likes to nest . I wanted to get maybe three new chicks this Spring and I have been thinking about using this one hen I have to take care of these new chicks. The hens I have are all healthy and will be 1yr. old this March 1st. If it would be a good idea to use this hen for the new chicks I am thinking about getting could you please tell me the best way to do this. Thank you for your time.

 

[sourland]

Hens will not accept and foster chicks unless they are broody. I have had the best luck with hens who have been setting a minimum of two weeks as far as 'adopting' chicks. It is generally best in my experience to place young (max of 3 days old) under the hen in the evening and then monitoring her behavior in the early morning.

 

[Chelseyb123]

Unless she is broody i wouldn't. She may actually kill or harm them i don't know how many chicks your going to have but a heating pad i think works really well theres an article on here about it. I used it the chicks stayes warm an could get off it whenever and sleeped better. Heat lights i think are risky unless you have a lot of chicks.

 

[lazy gardener]

I'd never consider a heat lamp for brooding chicks.

Mother heating pad brooder style would be preferable "fake broody" option.

If I had a dedicated broody, and the timing worked out to foster new chicks under her, I would do so.

Of course letting a broody hen hatch eggs would be the best choice of all.

A lot depends on flock dynamics and amount of available space.

IMO, a broody hen should have a separate space, fenced off in the coop until the chicks are a few days old.

 

[song of joy]

Hens will not accept and foster chicks unless they are broody. I have had the best luck with hens who have been setting a minimum of two weeks as far as 'adopting' chicks. It is generally best in my experience to place young (max of 3 days old) under the hen in the evening and then monitoring her behavior in the early morning.

X 2. Given a choice between using a good broody hen or a brooder box, I'd pick the broody hen any day.

 

[jennysbrood]

Thank you everyone for your advice. I wish I could just give the new baby chicks to the hen I had in mind, I thought it would be good for her and them but it does not sound like that would be a good idea. I do appreciate your insight. I read the heating pad article that was mentioned and that sounds like it would be worth trying, much better than the heat lamps I have used in the past. I am always glad to learn more things about chicken raising.

 

[Chelseyb123]

Yes definitely try it! Its also a lot less you have to worry about. But make sure that the heating pad doesnt have a timer. The one i used would turn off every couple hours. But they were in my living next to the register so they still had heat coming through the dogg kennel holes. Also making one of those caves and putting it on the heating pad will make it feel like mother hen. Good luck!

 

[chickens really]

Thank you everyone for your advice. I wish I could just give the new baby chicks to the hen I had in mind, I thought it would be good for her and them but it does not sound like that would be a good idea. I do appreciate your insight. I read the heating pad article that was mentioned and that sounds like it would be worth trying, much better than the heat lamps I have used in the past. I am always glad to learn more things about chicken raising.

Nope...It's not that easy...You will need to Brood them yourself and provide heat...Best wishes...