Just put two-day-olds under broody - DH worried they will suffocate

[MrsChickendad]

If they can breathe thru that egg shell, they ought to be able to breathe under Mama. Relax and just watch Mama teach them how to be chickens. It is very cool.

 

[bawkbawkbawk]

Yes, I have rocks in the water. We put the chick food and water right next to Mama. But I've read that she will think they just hatched and want to keep them underneath her for a day and a half, but they need to eat, don't they?

It's complicated to tamper with Mother Nature, as it turns out...

 

[gryeyes]

They will neither suffocate nor starve.

Trust us.

 

[bawkbawkbawk]

Thank you. I appreciate the hand-holding. (But they must be hungry under there, aren't they????)

 

[mmaddie's mom]

They are FINE!

 

[welasharon]

Yes it is complicated to tamper with mother nature so now just walk off and let her be. If you mess around too much you may mess her up and get an ulcer in the process. LOL Go do something else.

 

[justtoni44]

Our SS hen that had been missing for a month or so.( thought she was coyote dinner )
came out of the pasture with 8 chicks yesterday......

She was headed for the barn and I still cannot figure out how she got those chicks through the pasture grass.
Really high and thick.
We put her and babies in a cage for the night, gave her water in a jar lid and sprinked chick starter on the cage bottom.
She had those babies eating and drinking in no time........Once she thought I was not looking...........

It is like watching a miracle in action.....
I am sure your chicks will be fine....
You would know by now if she was going to reject them and she knows when they are ready to eat.
Bet you have one happy hen.
Have fun

 

[spiritdance]

Mama hen knows a hungry peep when she hears it, whether it's one hour or two days after you put them under her. If you listen closely to your chickens when you're with them, you will discover that they have a "language" all their own, and most of it they're born knowing, so just sit back and enjoy the show! You're in for a real treat.

 

[farmergirl96]

Last summer I had 2 bantam hens in 1 (small) nesting box with 13 chicks under them.

One morning they got up and 1 fragile little (black tailed buff japanese) was flattened to an almost incredible degree. She wouldn't open her eyes and she couldn't cheep--much less even sit up. My sister and I fed her sugar-water and massaged her delicate little ribs into a normal position and she survives to this day!

My point is that chickies are sturdier than you may think, and as long as you check on them a few times a day nothing serious should happen.

Good luck!

--Hydrangea Turner

 

[AZSummer]

Quote:
Very cool! She sounds like a keeper!!