MAGICALLY APPEARING CHICKS under a broody butt!?

[Chickmagnet9]

--My Cochin is broody again (as usual). This go around, I am considering letting her go full term and on the right night 19-21 (today is the beginning of day 4), 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. I also have this posted under chicken behavior and egg laying but not sure that's the place for this post.

 

[pennyJo1960]

Hey there I do give eggs but twice now have done well waiting like a week
then remove an egg add a chick yes with my silky

 

[ChickNanny13]

Read it's been done ... "trick" is her hormones. You're on track, letting her go at least 2 close to 3wks setting (fake eggs will do) then sticking your choice of chicks under her at night. Best that the chick be "younger the better". Keep a close eye for a few days and you both should be happy.

 

[Lemon88]

A friend of mine did this with great success. The mama immediately adopted the babies and took great care of them and started laying normally.

 

[Chickmagnet9]

Well, I cannot begin to tell each of you "first responders" how much more at ease I feel already. Off to the feed store now for some fakes. WHEW.

 

[Chickmagnet9]

Hi there! Oprah is doing great and LOVES her fake eggs. I will purchase 7 day olds this coming Thursday and put them under her butt at night. I'm excited to watch her do what she does best; just like a Cochin. Pics to follow.

 

[ChickNanny13]

The younger the chicks the better AND timing is important. Oprah needs to have been sitting at least 2wks, 3wks better for her "hormones" to kick into Mama mode.

 

[Hensndoes]

7 days is a bit older than most recommend. I’ve had success with chicks up to 3 days old. Never tried any older than that

 

[Harmony Fowl]

7 days is a bit older than most recommend. I’ve had success with chicks up to 3 days old. Never tried any older than that

I thought the same thing, but I'm thinking (hoping) they mean 7 1-day-olds and not 7-day-olds.

 

[21hens-incharge]

I have given my cochin chicks a few times.

Mine may be the odd hen but she violently rejects chicks if I try the old night sneak.

I can take her to them in a brooder and she is all about being a mom. Taking them to get where she has been sitting fails badly.

Right now she has 2 favorelle chicks and had only been broody a week before I gave her to them. You read that right....I gave her to them.


She would prefer I not try for pictures.