Introduce chicks at night or during day? also feed advice please...

[mamasteg]

We have a broody girl, and ordered three babies for her that will arrive in a couple of days. I have read plenty of posts about sneaking them under her wing at night - and several advising daytime, as whether she will or won't accept the chicks is pretty much the same either way. My preference would be daytime, so we are right there to rescue the babies if need be. Advice greatly appreciated!

Second, on feeding the chicks: we fed medicated starter to our girls when we started our flock a year ago. I have read that coccidiosis isn't a worry when bringing chicks into an established flock. Thoughts and advice?

fyi: Our girls have a good-sized run that only small creatures (rats) can get into at night. Rats can't get into their coop - and we will be careful that the mama and babies are in there in a smaller crate at night. They do go into our backyard for a few hours a day. Pretty much all critters avoid our yard like the plague, due to our dogs. Squirrels excepted.

Per usual, I am playing catch-up. Our broody girl is way brooooody, I looked it up on BYC and saw the adoption pics, promptly ordered babies - now figuring it out. Sigh. We do have a Plan B - raising the chicks inside until they can go into a larger kennel in the run. But obviously would love for our girl to raise them.

Thank you in advance for your thoughts and advice!

 

[Cecisflock]

My preference would be daytime, so we are right there to rescue the babies if need be.

then do it in the daytime!

we fed medicated starter to our girls when we started our flock a year ago. I have read that coccidiosis isn't a worry when bringing chicks into an established flock. Thoughts and advice?

Yeah, medicated is not a worry, feed whatever kind of chick starter you like.

 

[mamasteg]

Thank

then do it in the daytime!

Yeah, medicated is not a worry, feed whatever kind of chick starter you like.

Ha! I like your answers Thank you!

 

[50-45-1]

I have only ever added less than 2 day old chicks under a dedicated broody after dark. Never had any rejected.
After dark...remove eggs or fake eggs...put under chicks.
By morning she thinks she hatched them.

 

[mamasteg]

I have only ever added less than 2 day old chicks under a dedicated broody after dark. Never had any rejected.
After dark...remove eggs or fake eggs...put under chicks.
By morning she thinks she hatched them.

Thank you!