Is it safe to put hatchlings under a broody on days 19-21?

[Chickmagnet9]

My Cochin is broody again (as usual). This go around, I am considering letting her go full term and on the right night, putting day olds under her butt that night so she wakes up in the morning with babies. Has anyone had success with this or is it a bad idea. Anyone who has already had experience doing this, PLEASE COMMENT. I normally get her fertile eggs but 50% ALWAYS seem to turn out to be roos. At least if I got day olds, I'd get the breed and the sex I prefer so I really need some experienced input. THANKS SO MUCH.

 

[ChickNanny13]

 

[aldarita]

I just put 4 baby chicks that I got from the hatchery under my broody 2 weeks go. She was sitting on fertile eggs that I purchased online, unfortunately when I candled them, the embryos were not developing, then an snake got in her nest (which was on a cage that I worked hard to make it snake proof) 3 of the eggs were cracked already by the time I got there to get the snake out. After all this, I decided to get one day old chicks and put them under mama's wing at night. She took them in and now she is very happy showing them around and teaching them all the tricks. I am not doing the fertile eggs again. My broody is an excellent mama and as long as I have her, she will be raising one day old chicks instead.
I have read on the forum that you don't have to wait 21 days to add the chicks since they don't know how to count. I think you can wait until you are sure that she is sitting and the "broodingness" is well settled and that she has proven to be a good mama (first timers are risky) so since you have had your broody for a while, go ahead and add the chicks. BTW this year I have had problems with snakes, so we built a cage for the new family and this time we are absolutely sure snakes can't get in.

 

[EggSighted4Life]

I'd get the breed and the sex I prefer so I really need some experienced input.

Hens can't count days accurately, it's a fantastic option! I love being able try new breeds and having MOST cockerel risk removed.

I do it all the time with great success.

Do it shortly after dark so she can hear them and feel them. I provide food and water near by during the daytime.

Most chicks at feed stores will be at least 2-3 days old upon arrival. I always make sure they are eating and drinking and checked for pasty butt. Maybe even poultry nutri drench in the first drinker full. Good luck!

Feed all an unmedicated starter with oyster shell on the side for layers or a flock raiser type with OS on the side, for easiest feeding of a mixed age flock.

 

[Chickmagnet9]

THANK YOU! She has been a mama a few times and is excellent. She is so broody that on day 1, I thought she was dead because she had not exhibited any signs before I saw her in her box. Day 2 confirmed she was not sick or dying, just broody AGAIN. What you said about counting makes me feel so much better because honestly, I don't know how many chicks I can actually find on June 5th so maybe I'll add the babies next week?! I am so excited now and also relieved that I won't end up with roos I have to give up. I already have 2 baby roos I have to surrender now. It is hard because to be honest, roos are my favorite. All of mine have been very loving and cuddly. I hate giving them up. I'm so sorry to hear of your egg experience but I'm happy to know of your happy outcome.

 

[Chickmagnet9]

Hens can't count days accurately, it's a fantastic option! I love being able try new breeds and having MOST cockerel risk removed.

I do it all the time with great success.

Do it shortly after dark so she can hear them and feel them. I provide food and water near by during the daytime.

Most chicks at feed stores will be at least 2-3 days old upon arrival. I always make sure they are eating and drinking and checked for pasty butt. Maybe even poultry nutri drench in the first drinker full. Good luck!

Feed all an unmedicated starter with oyster shell on the side for layers or a flock raiser type with OS on the side, for easiest feeding of a mixed age flock.

Fantastic news!!! How soon do you add the chicks? Like at what day? She's on day for today. Also, what is the issue with medicated chick starter? It is what I am giving my current 4 chicks currently and now I'm freaked out.

 

[Molpet]

I usually add chicks after at least 10 days of the hen being broody..usually 14
the chicks need to be young so they will bond with her. the oldest I have done is 5 days old.
I Would ask the local stores and breeder when the shipments or hatches are expected
Med chick starter is a thiamine blocker to help them build up an immunity to coccidiosis.

 

[aldarita]

These are the 4 pullets I got from the hatchery, they had wyandottes which was the breed I wanted

 

[NanaK]

Such a pretty hen!
Looks like she loves her babies!

 

[Chickmagnet9]

I usually add chicks after at least 10 days of the hen being broody..usually 14
the chicks need to be young so they will bond with her. the oldest I have done is 5 days old.
I Would ask the local stores and breeder when the shipments or hatches are expected
Med chick starter is a thiamine blocker to help them build up an immunity to coccidiosis.

Then that is what I'll do. My last new babies (9 of them) got cocci 2 years ago. It was straight textbook, too. zero sign of it in the morning and by evening they were dead. 2 days of what looked like pure carnage. I managed to rehab 2 of them which I still have going strong. Those were the babies I did not feed medicated food. It was also the first time in 7 years of chickens that this ever happened. With these babies I've fet medicated starter, water with probiotics and introduced dirt and grasses from the beginning to help build immunity to the environment they just moved into last week. Chicken paws crossed it all works out. Cocci is a horrible experience and it was actually traumatic to go through. Thank you so much.