if i put chicks under a broody hen will she take care of them?

[watergoddess]

I am in the middle of a hatch right now as i type!

my parents don't want to deal with a brooder in the house again.... i have a broody hen in the barn right now, will she take care of chicks if placed with her? (she is part silky)

 

[Judy]

You can certainly try; it often works. Slip them under her at night the day they hatch.

You can also brood them outdoors, if you have a place they would be safe and can set up a heat lamp. There is no need to brood indoors, which I won't do. In the summer, or fall you probably won't need it longer than 2 or 3 weeks at most. They seem to adjust to outdoor temps faster when raised outdoors.