I've read lots of posts about how to do it, if it can be done, etc... just wanted to show you how easy it is.
Momma hen hatched out 3 and I hatched out 8 in my bator (she couldn't cover all of the eggs) As her babies hatched I put them in the brooder with the other newly hatched chicks so she would continue to sit on her eggs. After they all hatched, I gathered them up an took them out to meet their mommy
-please pay no mind to my baby talk... I can't help it
I checked on them a couple hours later
A few tips to consider when introducing chicks to a broody.
#1 THE HEN MUST BE EXPECTING!! This means that not only does she have to be broody but she also has to be ready. A week and a half in the nest is usually enough time.
#2 Giving the hen the chicks at night time is usually best as the hen is sleepy and isn't really aware of what's going on...and when morning comes she has babies!
I like doing it during the day because I don't like waiting up to check every 30 min to make sure momma is still on them. I cannot sleep til Im sure
but you should know in the first few moments if the hen accepts them as her own. If she does not, she will peck at them. Some like to seperate mom and chicks from the rest of the flock. I haven't had any real problems with this... a bit of pecking but most things work itself out as the chicks learn who is excepting of them and who isn't.
#3 Make sure they are all on the floor of the coop. If they are up high, one may jump down then momma hen will jump down to show it the food leaving some chicks in the nest.
Momma hen hatched out 3 and I hatched out 8 in my bator (she couldn't cover all of the eggs) As her babies hatched I put them in the brooder with the other newly hatched chicks so she would continue to sit on her eggs. After they all hatched, I gathered them up an took them out to meet their mommy
I checked on them a couple hours later
A few tips to consider when introducing chicks to a broody.
#1 THE HEN MUST BE EXPECTING!! This means that not only does she have to be broody but she also has to be ready. A week and a half in the nest is usually enough time.
#2 Giving the hen the chicks at night time is usually best as the hen is sleepy and isn't really aware of what's going on...and when morning comes she has babies!
I like doing it during the day because I don't like waiting up to check every 30 min to make sure momma is still on them. I cannot sleep til Im sure
but you should know in the first few moments if the hen accepts them as her own. If she does not, she will peck at them. Some like to seperate mom and chicks from the rest of the flock. I haven't had any real problems with this... a bit of pecking but most things work itself out as the chicks learn who is excepting of them and who isn't. #3 Make sure they are all on the floor of the coop. If they are up high, one may jump down then momma hen will jump down to show it the food leaving some chicks in the nest.
Last edited:
