Is 2 1/2 weeks too old to slip under a broody

[AinaWGSD]

I have a stubborn broody who is determined to sit after nearly two weeks in a broody breaker. I also have several 2.5 week old chicks brooding in my basement. Im wondering if it's not worth slipping a few chicks under her overnight to see if she'll accept them. But I'm also worried we've missed the imprint window. Thoughts?

 

[oldhenlikesdogs]

Probably too old. The chicks won't understand, but you could always try and see. Some hens will take nothing and some everything.

 

[AinaWGSD]

How will I know if she'll take them without exposing them to too much danger? I waited until we'll after dark. She let me pick her up a bit to slip them under, but she's pecking at the movement. She can't see them, so she hasn't connected yet, but I don't want to come out to dead chicks in the morning.

 

[WoDia]

@AinaWGSD You can avoid harm to the chicks (and eliminate your worry) by introducing them during the day, while you can supervise. Watch how she acts. You will know if she’s getting aggravated, and you’ll be able to quickly intervene. I hope all goes well.

 

[AinaWGSD]

Well, I hadn't heard any movement from the nest for about 20 minutes or so, so I shined a dim light on it to check on the babies. Neither chick was under her, and as soon as she could see them she started pecking at them. So I pulled them and put them back in the brooder.

I may try one more time tomorrow, when I can keep a closer eye on her. @WoDia would you recommend trying to put them in the nest, or placing them on the coop floor and seeing if she'll come to them?

I figured it was a long shot, but still worth a shot.

 

[WoDia]

Well, I hadn't heard any movement from the nest for about 20 minutes or so, so I shined a dim light on it to check on the babies. Neither chick was under her, and as soon as she could see them she started pecking at them. So I pulled them and put them back in the brooder.

I may try one more time tomorrow, when I can keep a closer eye on her. @WoDia would you recommend trying to put them in the nest, or placing them on the coop floor and seeing if she'll come to them?

I figured it was a long shot, but still worth a shot.

I would let her come to them. It gives her the opportunity to check them out on her own terms. You’ll know from her behavior whether it’s worth allowing her to interact with them a second time. I’m sure feeling that movement in the dark startled her. Please keep us updated. I’m glad you were able to find them unharmed.

 

[oldhenlikesdogs]

Well, I hadn't heard any movement from the nest for about 20 minutes or so, so I shined a dim light on it to check on the babies. Neither chick was under her, and as soon as she could see them she started pecking at them. So I pulled them and put them back in the brooder.

I may try one more time tomorrow, when I can keep a closer eye on her. @WoDia would you recommend trying to put them in the nest, or placing them on the coop floor and seeing if she'll come to them?

I figured it was a long shot, but still worth a shot.

I wouldn't try again.

 

[Slothinc]

I recently tried this with 1.5-2 week old chicks and it didn’t go well. I tried first with a mama that has some younger chicks. She was pecking at the older ones. Then tried with a broody who doesn’t have chicks, and mostly the chicks just kept coming out from under her and going into the main coop area and were super confused. I think I missed the window completely, but wanted to give it a try. Thankfully no chicks were harmed and they are all fine and safe back in their brooder.

 

[AinaWGSD]

I did try again this morning, putting the chicks down on the coop floor and seeing if she would come to them.

Showing interest

And guarding the nest from intruders

I was thinking about maybe trying one more time this evening when I have more than 40 minutes to sit with them, but I'm probably going to call it failed.

Now I gotta figure out how to break her out of it. Im going to take the 2x4 out of the broody buster, but I'm pretty sure she'll just brood on the elevated wire. Do we think maybe moving the buster out of the coop and into the run would work?

 

[Slothinc]

I did try again this morning, putting the chicks down on the coop floor and seeing if she would come to them.View attachment 4137715Showing interest View attachment 4137716And guarding the nest from intruders

I was thinking about maybe trying one more time this evening when I have more than 40 minutes to sit with them, but I'm probably going to call it failed.

Now I gotta figure out how to break her out of it. Im going to take the 2x4 out of the broody buster, but I'm pretty sure she'll just brood on the elevated wire. Do we think maybe moving the buster out of the coop and into the run would work?

She is so pretty! I don’t think she will be able to brood very effectively on elevated wire. If her belly cant maintain a warm temperature then they snap out of it.

I am in the same boat - I have 3 wannabe broodies right now and they are driving me crazy. I have been trying to put them on the roost at night but did it too early the past few nights and they just flew off. Tonight I will wait until the middle of the night and see how that goes. If now I will be rigging up a broody breaker.