How broody to add day old chicks?

[MountainMomma359]

I have a BO that has been semi broody all spring-fussy, puffed up all day, low cluck. She is 1. This past week or so she has increased her broodiness it seems and is on the nest most of the day unless I move her (even when i put her out she sits on the ground puffed up and mad). I am considering getting some chicks to put under her but how do i know when she would accept them? I really don't want to have to pull them back and raise them myself or risk them being hurt.

 

[Finnie]

You won’t know until you try. If you don’t want to have a backup plan to raise them yourself, then don’t try it.

 

[MountainMomma359]

How long does it typically take to break a broody?

 

[Ridgerunner]

My test to tell if a hen is truly broody and deserves hatching eggs or trying to give her baby chicks is that she has to spend two consecutive nights on the nest instead of sleeping in her normal spot. Two consecutive nights, not just one. What she does during the day isn't important to me, they can act as broody as they want. Unless she is ready to take care of the eggs or chicks at night she does not deserve eggs or chicks.

how do i know when she would accept them?

You never know. Some are quick to accept chicks, some will even reject them if she hatches them herself. When you deal with living animals you never know for sure what they will do. I agree with Finnie, if you are not willing to raise them yourself if she does not accept them, don't try.

How long does it typically take to break a broody?

The way I break a broody is to put her in an elevated cage with a wire floor with food and water but nothing that looks like a nest. The wire floor lets air under her which seems to help break her. I leave her in there for 72 hours. Usually that is enough but if she goes to the nest I lock her back up for another couple of days. Some break pretty easily with this method but some are harder. You can never be sure with a living animal.