I can not break this broody. Can I give her chicks?

[nzchick]

I too have 3 broodies that Im trying to break. Only because I have just broken my leg and cant be worrying about any more chicks around here! I currently have my 3 moved into a separate large cage (nicknamed "the chiller") that after 3 days hopefully

will have sorted them out. I feel like a complete meanie because all they do is walk up and down the perimeter desperate to get back to their nests. I have broken broodies like this before, but never together, so not sure how that will go. The key is to make it as uncomfortable as possible. So no straw or bedding of any sort and if you can get some raised chicken wire under them the better, this helps with some air flow under their bellies.

As for popping the chicks under them, its well worth a go. I have put 1 week old chicks under broody bantams before and its worked a treat, they are so desperate to become mummies, they will take anything! I havent tried it with silkies, but know that they are fab mums and Im sure they will be fine, but as others have suggested, just stand back and keep a watch for a bit, just in case. Good Luck:yiipchick

 

[kathyinmo]

OH, poooooo, I gave up. I brought 2 of the 3 broodies inside to the garage. AND ..... I gave them 6 eggs each. You should have seen them. They just went silly over the eggs. Each one trying to grab them all! It was quite comical. I will take pictures of them later. I have been taking the eggs from them for weeks, so they are quite content to be able to sit on eggs instead of air, I believe. Note: this is my first time with a broody. I did leave the one broody outside. I may just go ahead and give her eggs tomorrow, as well. I GIVE UP !

 

[Julie_A]

Quote:
Ours did the same thing. They had great timing because the temp here bottomed out and the chicks needed a little fuzzy love to go along with their heat lamps.

 

[bargain]

(KathyinMO) Yup I think your ladies have you trained...... Hens 1 and Kathyinmo - 0


Don't you love it when the animals control us.....Today I was giving the rabbits some hay for munching and I had given all some but when I pass around again with NO hay in my hands, one of my gals starts literally running in circles....Okay, she has my attention....I brought her a little more hay and she settled down and started eating..... Yup, I pretty well am trained by the bunnies, goats, chickens, guineas, ducks,,,,,etc,etc.....

Have a blessed hatching!

 

[hencackle]

I've given a couple broody hens some chicks from the feed store and the hens accepted the chicks just fine. But, finding chicks at this time of year?

 

[kathyinmo]

Quote:
OK.... I have another plan hatched ..... Tomorrow I want to take these 3 tiny chicks out to the other broody! Yea, I think I will try it. Heck, I should get at least one point for that (for trying!)... LOL Temp 42* here today. Hope it stays nice for a few more days.

Got to work this afternoon, and one of the gals I work with was thrilled to hear that I allowed the broodies to set. She agreed to take ALL the chicks! I hope all 12 of them hatch. They are silkie eggs, of course. I love my silkies, really I do. I just don't want any more.