Introducing new chicks to broody hen

[windingwaypoultry]

Hi Guys!

We have a Buff Orpington named Lemon who went broody for the first time a few weeks ago. Our local Tractor Supply had Lavender Orpington chicks in stock so I purchased 6 to see if Lemon would be their surrogate mother. She was pretty darn mean as a broody hen so I snuck in after dark and slipped the chicks under her wing and removed the unfertilized eggs she was sitting on. She took to them instantly and has been a fantastic mama. Unfortunately, on day 2 we found 2 of the chicks had died. It looks like they were under Lemon and were most likely smothered.

She has now had the 4 surviving chicks for a week and we would like to add a few more chicks to the flock. If I were to purchase more is there be a good chance that Lemon would happily adopt them too if I did the same introduction process? or has it been too long since her other chicks have "hatched"?

Thanks for all your help! Here's a pic of Lemon with her babies

 

[I Love Feather Babies]

Hi Guys!

We have a Buff Orpington named Lemon who went broody for the first time a few weeks ago. Our local Tractor Supply had Lavender Orpington chicks in stock so I purchased 6 to see if Lemon would be their surrogate mother. She was pretty darn mean as a broody hen so I snuck in after dark and slipped the chicks under her wing and removed the unfertilized eggs she was sitting on. She took to them instantly and has been a fantastic mama. Unfortunately, on day 2 we found 2 of the chicks had died. It looks like they were under Lemon and were most likely smothered.

She has now had the 4 surviving chicks for a week and we would like to add a few more chicks to the flock. If I were to purchase more is there be a good chance that Lemon would happily adopt them too if I did the same introduction process? or has it been too long since her other chicks have "hatched"?

Thanks for all your help! Here's a pic of Lemon with her babies

Most likely she will not accept them.

 

[jBabychickn]

Most likely she will not accept them.

I agree

 

[Yardmom]

Most of the time mother hens see other chicks as a threat to there own chicks. After a week of having chicks she is likely to attack any new comers.

 

[SueT]

Don’t do it…

 

[windingwaypoultry]

Thanks guys. Our new chicks are nice and cozy in the brooder. I tried introducing them to Lemon and she let me know right away she wasn’t happy about the intruders.

 

[WitchyWomen]

I agree….don’t do it. You should put all the chicks in at one time, otherwise she will think they belong to another hen. Wait for another broody hen, to add more chicks, or wait for this hen to go broody again. Good luck!

 

[WitchyWomen]

I have to say….Lemon and her babies are toooo cute!! My Orpingtons go broody several times a year, so you should have several chances to add more babies to your flock!

 

[Paz]

I gave my broody the chicks and she ran away immediately at the sight of number one’s feet. She looked at it, and she looked at me, and was like: this chick ain’t mine, it’s broken.

 

[Poptart3130]

Hi Guys!

We have a Buff Orpington named Lemon who went broody for the first time a few weeks ago. Our local Tractor Supply had Lavender Orpington chicks in stock so I purchased 6 to see if Lemon would be their surrogate mother. She was pretty darn mean as a broody hen so I snuck in after dark and slipped the chicks under her wing and removed the unfertilized eggs she was sitting on. She took to them instantly and has been a fantastic mama. Unfortunately, on day 2 we found 2 of the chicks had died. It looks like they were under Lemon and were most likely smothered.

She has now had the 4 surviving chicks for a week and we would like to add a few more chicks to the flock. If I were to purchase more is there be a good chance that Lemon would happily adopt them too if I did the same introduction process? or has it been too long since her other chicks have "hatched"?

Thanks for all your help! Here's a pic of Lemon with her babies

Awww sweet!