I have placed two, probably two to three day old, chicks under a broody hen, I picked the chicks up yesterday at the farm and ranch down the road, so I am guessing they were shipped at one day old and they had just arrived when I got them. The hen has been sitting on two golf balls for 23 days. I removed the golf balls.
She doesn't seem to be too happy with the chicks. If she sees them she pecks at them and I can't tell if she is just trying to get them to stay under her or if she just doesn't want to accept them. Don't know what is normal, this is a first time broody, and my first time watching this unfold. As long as the chicks stay under her she seems fine with it. How long before she should show signs of wanting to get them to food and water, etc. I placed them under her last night and when I went out this morning one of the chicks was sitting out in front of the nest which is about four inches off the floor. I placed it back in the nest, next to the hen and she brisseled up and went to pecking at it until it crawled under her. Normal? Any advice as to what to watch for, how to tell if things are going well or if I need to remove the chicks.
Thanks in advance for the help.
Mike
She doesn't seem to be too happy with the chicks. If she sees them she pecks at them and I can't tell if she is just trying to get them to stay under her or if she just doesn't want to accept them. Don't know what is normal, this is a first time broody, and my first time watching this unfold. As long as the chicks stay under her she seems fine with it. How long before she should show signs of wanting to get them to food and water, etc. I placed them under her last night and when I went out this morning one of the chicks was sitting out in front of the nest which is about four inches off the floor. I placed it back in the nest, next to the hen and she brisseled up and went to pecking at it until it crawled under her. Normal? Any advice as to what to watch for, how to tell if things are going well or if I need to remove the chicks.
Thanks in advance for the help.
Mike