How do I get a hen to adopt chicks?

[aprilmaybe]

A little background...
I have 6 full grown hens that I raised from chicks, but they have never had their own chicks. I purchased some babies from the hardware store and they are doing fine in their little hutch but I was wondering if it would be possible to get one of the hens to adopt the babies? If so, what are the benefits and how do I go about it? Thanks for any help.

 

[Rlmp817]

Are any of them broody?
If not, a mhp set up may be your best bet. I use a wire dog grate in the run with the heating pad set up to make integration easier after a few weeks.
There are LOTS of benifits to a hen adopting chicks, but unless one is broody it probably won't happen.

 

[LuvBantums]

A little background...
I have 6 full grown hens that I raised from chicks, but they have never had their own chicks. I purchased some babies from the hardware store and they are doing fine in their little hutch but I was wondering if it would be possible to get one of the hens to adopt the babies? If so, what are the benefits and how do I go about it? Thanks for any help.

Are your hens broody?

 

[aprilmaybe]

I don't know!?? I'm embarrassed to say I don't know what that means.

 

[21hens-incharge]

Not only do you need a broody hen but she needs to have been broody nearly 2 weeks AND the chicks need to be less than 4 or 5 days old.

 

[aprilmaybe]

Not only do you need a broody hen but she needs to have been broody nearly 2 weeks AND the chicks need to be less than 4 or 5 days old.

Oh, well they are already several weeks old. I don't know what "broody" means.

 

[LuvBantums]

I don't know!?? I'm embarrassed to say I don't know what that means.

broody is when the hen is ready to sit/be a mommy best way to put

 

[sylviethecochin]

Oh, well they are already several weeks old. I don't know what "broody" means.

Means she's collecting eggs with intention to set and raise young.

 

[Rlmp817]

I don't know!?? I'm embarrassed to say I don't know what that means.

If they were broody they would want to sit on their eggs, probably give you a hard time about egg collecting. Not leave the next box except to eat/drink/defecate.

 

[LuvBantums]

We have bantam cochins and they are always broody. One just hatched hers eggs and my husband bought some buckeye and put them under her. She was so cute when they out grew her!!!