I did it.. I cant believe it!!

So today was day 23 of my hatch.. Out of 24 Eggs, and out of 12 in lockdown, i only got 5 hatchers.. . I transferred the little guys into my separate brooder and they sat under the heat lamp looking very lonely and scared.. They were always peeping and crying out for an answer from mommy.. But there was no mommy to be had for them, then i thought.. My silkie just hatched 7 Bantam Barnevelders (which are now 13 days old, and VERY independent), and thought to myself.. I wonder if she would surrogate these new babies, and teach them just like her other babies? So i wrapped the broody momma in a towel so she couldn't see and moved her into the small bin where i had the newborns. The 1 day old babies were very scared, and hesitant of the new clucking and chirping sounds of this strange beast. They all huddled in the corner; hesitant of what was about to happen. I slowly unwrapped the Momma hen, and she saw the new chicks huddled in the corner. She moved over to them and started making noises, trying to encourage them, or establish a relationship or something, but the chicks were NOT happy.. They all ran into the corner and were crawling over one another to get away, while the momma was trying ever so hard to establish some sort of connection with these little innocent babies. Then i thought.. What if i turn off the heat lamp?, then the chicks would need the warmth of the mother hen, and would be forced to crawl under her to stay warm and happy. I unplugged the heat lamp, and the chicks immediately started chirping very loudly, they were starting to lose warmth and were getting scared. The momma laid down next to them expecting the chicks to understand that they should run underneath her for warmth, but they had never done this before, and were unaware of what to do. So i intervened.. I lifted up the side of the momma and individually placed the chicks underneath her, a few small shifts from the momma hen, and... Silence.. All the chirping was gone.. The babies were warm, comfy, and establishing a connection with their surrogate momma. Now she is teaching them to eat, and they are starting to understand and respond to her calls!! Im so excitede I have the best momma.. Here some pics:

Before the move, with her hatched Barnevelder bantams...


After the move.....

Once i turned on the lights, they started to come out from under her..

one

two

three

four

FIVE!!!




Only casualty (and a very acceptable one by me): Lonely and orphaned Barnevelder chicks..

 

Yeah, i had asked another forum member if it was possible to move the day olds, in the momma and her 12 day old chicks. People said to be really cautious, and i was very hesitant to see her and the other chicks reactions when adding them to the mix. I eventually decided against this for a number of reasons. #1- she might react poorly if she already has her OWN chicks (i.e. kill them or hurt the new ones), #2-The other chicks might pick on or crush their new brothers/sisters, #3-She might crush them (because she is really active with her 10 day olds, and might step on them), etc, etc. So i decide to move HER in with THEM, take her out of HER comfort zone, and they could get used to this new area together and use it as a bonding/socializing experience.

Also, i heard that since silkies are generally really eager brooders (this one has 5 clutches a year!!) its not truly in their nature to harm chicks, even ones they didn't raise themselves. Honestly, i couldn't have asked for a better momma.. Shes the best!!!

 

Quote:Yes.. This Momma is extra special!! Here's some new pics of all the chicks together now!!










Im hoping i can involve a few more into the mix in the future!!