I Need Advice!! Incubated Eggs/Broody Chicken

[henryscarpet]

Hi everyone, I have incubated eggs to hatch this Saturday. I also have a broody chicken that will only have been sitting on the nest for 7 days by Saturday. Is there a chance that she might be ready to accept the newborn chicks? If yes, should I put them under her as soon as they're born?

 

[DobieLover]

Hi everyone, I have incubated eggs to hatch this Saturday. I also have a broody chicken that will only have been sitting on the nest for 7 days by Saturday. Is there a chance that she might be ready to accept the newborn chicks? If yes, should I put them under her as soon as they're born?

There is always a chance.
Has your broody been a mother before?

I would wait until the chicks are fully dry and then try to slip them under the hen when it is completely dark out. If after you withdrawal your hand she reaches under herself and pecks at the chick, take it back and go set up a brooder for them.

If she does not peck at the chicks under her, sit with her for a bit to make sure she stays that way. If you hear her talking to them, that is a very good sign.

Be back out to the maternity nest well before dawn in the morning to check on her again and stay there as the sun comes up and the flock starts to come off the roost and see how she is with them.

Good luck.

 

[LaFleche]

You can try and let her hatch one or two of your incubator eggs to see if she is ready to switch from nest protection mode to brooding chicks.
If she does well and the chicks are unharmed, you can give her the incubator chicks as well.
Some prefer to add them at night as this will not upset the broody as much as disturbing her in daylight.

 

[henryscarpet]

There is always a chance.
Has your broody been a mother before?

I would wait until the chicks are fully dry and then try to slip them under the hen when it is completely dark out. If after you withdrawal your hand she reaches under herself and pecks at the chick, take it back and go set up a brooder for them.

If she does not peck at the chicks under her, sit with her for a bit to make sure she stays that way. If you hear her talking to them, that is a very good sign.

Be back out to the maternity nest well before dawn in the morning to check on her again and stay there as the sun comes up and the flock starts to come off the roost and see how she is with them.

Good luck.

Thank you for your advice. She will be a first time mom

 

[henryscarpet]

Thanks, I will give her two eggs the day before they're due to hatch

 

[LaFleche]

Thanks, I will give her two eggs the day before they're due to hatch

Be mindful of lockdown for your incubator eggs. I would give her the eggs three days prior to hatching date and not open the incubator again after day 18.

Good luck!