How do I get a hen to adopt chicks?

[Spartan22]

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

Broody means they are wanting to sit on their eggs to be a mother hen. They have to be broody to adopt chicks to raise them and protect them chicks, other wise we’re talking about integration.

 

[Aunt Angus]

From what I understand, you have to have a broody. You have to let them sit on eggs (or fake eggs). After 21ish days, you need to replace the eggs with very young chicks by taking an egg from under your broody and sticking the chick under her. I also hear it's best to do at night, and then you need to keep close watch to see if she'll accept them.

I don't have experience doing this, but I plan to try it if one of mine goes broody this summer. I have researched the heck out of this, and I read/hear the same answer from every source I consult, both in print and in person.

But I'd love to hear other ideas. I'd like my cochin to raise some babies. Good luck!

 

[karenerwin]

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

Broody means that the hen is wanting to sit on a clutch of eggs. You can tell because the hen stays on/in the nest (box) pretty much 24/7. She may get off once a day to eat, drink and poop, but otherwise she stays on the nest. She may hiss/ squawk and/or peck at you if you get too close or try to look under her.

 

[Rlmp817]

If your chicks are already a few weeks old you may want to look into 4 week integration techniques. I believe it was @aart who wrote a great article about it.

 

[Aunt Angus]

Broody means they are wanting to sit on their eggs to be a mother hen. They have to be broody to adopt chicks to raise them and protect them chicks, other wise we’re talking about integration.

This. And, OP, you'll know they are broody when they refuse to leave the nest.

 

[Aunt Angus]

And don't be embarrassed! We all have to start somewhere! That's what BYC is for.

 

[Rlmp817]

https://www.backyardchickens.com/a/integrating-new-birds-at-4-weeks-old

 

[21hens-incharge]

When I get a broody hen she will sit in the nest nearly non stop as others have said.
Mine will growl, peck, puff up, and even flatten out like a pancake.

They definitely do not like messed with.

It looks like it will be integration for yours.

 

[Aunt Angus]

https://www.backyardchickens.com/a/integrating-new-birds-at-4-weeks-old

@aart is the bee's knees.

 

[karenerwin]

I have had broody hens adopt chicks. But, yes, the hen has to be broody first. Mine hadn't been sitting for 21 days, but they had been sitting long enough for me to know that they were serious about it. I don't remember exactly how long they had been sitting but I would say 10 days at least.
Yes, I did slip the chicks in under the hen at night with out any lights on. I didn't bother taking out the eggs/ fake eggs at that time. I just wanted to get the chicks under her. I would only do a couple at a time and then go out later ( 30 to 60 minutes) and put a couple more under her. I have even added some more chicks after 3 days, but she was not a first time Momma.
I agree with going out and checking to make sure they were not rejecting the chick(s). I did have one broody that accepted all the chicks but 1. For some reason it did not like a fuzzy black chick, but fortunately I had a 2nd broody and she accepted that chick.
The pros to having broody reared chicks is that they integrate with the flock MUCH EASIER! Momma doesn't let the rest of the flock pick on her chicks! Even our lowest ranked, most docile hen became a fierce Momma! The chicks learned all they needed to know from Momma hen. The broody raised chicks learn much faster how to get up on the ramp to get into the coop. The brooder raised chicks ( my brooder is out in the coop) don't figure out the ramp until they are much older even though they see the other chickens going up and down it. The Momma broody keeps the chicks warm, so there is no need for heat lamps!! Broody hen raised chicks also go outside sooner and learn about eating grit and bugs and where and how to find food and water sooner because Momma teaches it all to them. She also teaches them about danger and what to do when danger is near.