How many chicks can a bantam hen handle?

[PioneerChicks]

I have chicks hatching in the incubator and a broody bantam silkie hen who really wants chicks. She has never raised chicks before, but has tried several times and her mom is a great mother.

She is in a coop with other silkies (three hens and one roo), not separated. I think that once the other hens see the chicks they will help care for them, but it might take a couple days, I don't know. It is possible that they might start squabbling over the chicks, as happened last time two of my silkies tried to co-brood.

I have 20+ chicks hatching in the incubator. I could get as many as thirty, but that's not likely.

I can set up a heat lamp near the hen as an additional heat source. Would this be dangerous to the adult silkies in the coop if they brushed against it?

I could also just abandon this idea all together and move the silkies to a different coop and put the chicks in by themselves, but because this will be my first time outdoor brooding and these chicks are the key to my breeding program, I don't want any power outage problems to kill them all. Or I could move all but the mama-to-be.

What do you all think?

 

[Lacy Duckwing]

Ok, first off, it depends whether the chicks are bantam or standard. If the chicks are the same breed, I'd suggest around eight, though I'm sure the broody could handle more. If the chicks are standards, 3-5 chicks. If the chicks are pure bantam, I'd be a little concerned that the Silkies would be too big, because Silkies aren't true bantams.

As far as heat lamps, that probably wouldn't be safe around a broody who could possibly burn herself on it. If you are looking for something, try a heat plate. That way, the chicks can go under it, but the broody won't burn herself on it even if she touches it.

On any new mother hen, my biggest suggestion is to keep a very close eye on any hens that are exposed to the chicks, mother hen or not. Not all hens are good with chicks, even if they're the ones who hatched out the chicks. For the first couple of days, watch the hens to see how they behave around the chicks. If there is ANY pecking of any sort towards the chicks, REMOVE ALL CHICKS IMMEDIATELY! Any hen, broody or not, can kill chicks. With some, they mistaken the chicks for mice, others, they're done or close to being done with the broody business. Once the chicks are older, (like a couple of months) an occasional peck is ok, she's teaching her chicks. But in the first couple of days, any peck can be bad.

Also, keep an eye on the roo, roosters has been known to kill chicks too. I usually like to separate the broody into a brooding coop away from any none broody hen. If you haven't given her the chicks before the move, she'll need to settle in first. That can sometimes stop a broody, but an obvious nest with eggs is always helpful not to hurt the broodiness. If she gets the chicks before the move, it'll be easier for her to settle in, just you'll have to make certain that the other hens don't come near the chicks before the move if they are a threat.

~Lacy Duckwing

 

[PioneerChicks]

Ok, first off, it depends whether the chicks are bantam or standard. If the chicks are the same breed, I'd suggest around eight, though I'm sure the broody could handle more. If the chicks are standards, 3-5 chicks. If the chicks are pure bantam, I'd be a little concerned that the Silkies would be too big, because Silkies aren't true bantams.

As far as heat lamps, that probably wouldn't be safe around a broody who could possibly burn herself on it. If you are looking for something, try a heat plate. That way, the chicks can go under it, but the broody won't burn herself on it even if she touches it.

On any new mother hen, my biggest suggestion is to keep a very close eye on any hens that are exposed to the chicks, mother hen or not. Not all hens are good with chicks, even if they're the ones who hatched out the chicks. For the first couple of days, watch the hens to see how they behave around the chicks. If there is ANY pecking of any sort towards the chicks, REMOVE ALL CHICKS IMMEDIATELY! Any hen, broody or not, can kill chicks. With some, they mistaken the chicks for mice, others, they're done or close to being done with the broody business. Once the chicks are older, (like a couple of months) an occasional peck is ok, she's teaching her chicks. But in the first couple of days, any peck can be bad.

Also, keep an eye on the roo, roosters has been known to kill chicks too. I usually like to separate the broody into a brooding coop away from any none broody hen. If you haven't given her the chicks before the move, she'll need to settle in first. That can sometimes stop a broody, but an obvious nest with eggs is always helpful not to hurt the broodiness. If she gets the chicks before the move, it'll be easier for her to settle in, just you'll have to make certain that the other hens don't come near the chicks before the move if they are a threat.

~Lacy Duckwing

Thank you for the advice, Lacy Duckwing!

I guess I'll just raise these chicks by myself and break this mama. I'll stick to my original rule; " No hens raising chicks until September!" They've been fighting y me on this, and I guess I have a soft heart

Anyways, thanks again! I'll remember this info!

 

[Fluffybuttmom]

I also have so many chicks to take care of. My hen sat for 2 weeks on her eggs and left. I have them in an incubator. Around 15 from 2 different hens. I have 3 in the brooder outside and 8 in the guest shower who are a week old. I am pretty sure that at least 4 of the are roosters. I am getting ready for the others eggs to hatch. I also have 2 roosters and 4 hens in the coop outside. HELP!!!!! I am afraid that the current hens and roos will hurt older chicks who are four weeks old. Any suggestions as to what I should do?
Its a full time job.....As I am sure you all know.....

 

[yakitori]

I have a satin, and she can effectively keep 6 delaware chicks under her. One of the chicks didn’t make it and she now has five.

She kind of just floofs out to double the size...

Compact form - it’s a warm day so the chicks have their heads out, but they all fit perfectly!


and...Expanded