Is my hen a good mama??

[Farmlife16]

She's accepted, she just might not be the best mama. The earliest I've slipped chicks under a broody was 2 weeks, and they were pipped eggs their really mama started attacking because she adopted an older, weaned chick instead.

Even then, the adoptive mama was able to talk with them while they were hatching, but her bond was not as solid as it was with her previous litters. I think because they were still early in her nesting cycle

That's a good point

 

[TJAnonymous]

How old is your new mama? I've had really young hens who were first time mamas who seemed a bit "absent-minded" when it came to being a mama. In fact, for me....this seems to be the case more than it isn't. I've had a couple of other first time mamas who didn't get their first set of chicks until they were older (3 yrs old) and they did MUCH better at being a first time mama. Eventually they all came around with experience, but I had many chicks who've died with really young first time mamas. Never lost a single chick to an older or more experienced hen. Just food for thought.....others may have a different experience.

 

[Farmlife16]

How old is your new mama? I've had really young hens who were first time mamas who seemed a bit "absent-minded" when it came to being a mama. In fact, for me....this seems to be the case more than it isn't. I've had a couple of other first time mamas who didn't get their first set of chicks until they were older (3 yrs old) and they did MUCH better at being a first time mama. Eventually they all came around with experience, but I had many chicks who've died with really young first time mamas. Never lost a single chick to an older or more experienced hen. Just food for thought.....others may have a different experience.

She's about 9 months old.

 

[Chicken Heel]

This topic is of particular interest to me at this point in time. About a month ago I had set eight eggs under a Mille Fleur hen and she brooded them about ten days. Then my red cochin bantam hen became broody. For the remainder of the incubation period, they shared the nest together. I guess one or both remained on the nest all the time because the first chick hatched on day 19. Four more chicks hatched over the next day after that. And the amazing thing to me is they have been sharing the five chicks since they hatched. I have had chickens for well over 50 years and never had this happen before. There is also a dark brahma bantam hen and an OEGB rooster in the pen with them and they even seem to be looking out for the chicks too, especially the rooster. Truly something to behold.

 

[TJAnonymous]

She's about 9 months old.

Bingo... I bet you dollars to donuts her inconsistent behavior is due to her age and immaturity. She will improve as she gets older.

 

[Farmlife16]

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Bingo... I bet you dollars to donuts her inconsistent behavior is due to her age and immaturity. She will improve as she gets older.

Well, maybe that's it! She seems to have great potential. I'm curious, does 9 months versus 14 months make any difference? I have a production hen who hatched out chicks almost two weeks ago and she's more protective.

 

[TJAnonymous]

Well, maybe that's it! She seems to have great potential. I'm curious, does 9 months versus 14 months make any difference? I have a production hen who hatched out chicks almost two weeks ago and she's more protective.

In my experience, age does make a difference. Hens who are older seem to be more consistent with their mothering. They also seem to care for their chicks for a longer duration than younger hens.... But again, I'm basing this observation on maybe a dozen hens I've watched over the past few years. Other people who have raised chickens longer may have a different opinion.... But in my observations, age seems to be a consistent factor more than anything else.

 

[Farmlife16]

In my experience, age does make a difference. Hens who are older seem to be more consistent with their mothering. They also seem to care for their chicks for a longer duration than younger hens.... But again, I'm basing this observation on maybe a dozen hens I've watched over the past few years. Other people who have raised chickens longer may have a different opinion.... But in my observations, age seems to be a consistent factor more than anything else.

Thanks for the insight!