Am I the only one who puts store bought chicks under broody hens? What's your experiences?
I had three cochin bantams crammed in a nesting box sitting on four eggs. One hatched and they all stayed in the box so I picked up 6 chicks from the grain store, moved one of the hens and chick and added the 'orphans' in a ground level nesting box with food and water. nearby. Mama hen is taking excellent care of all the babies and they all adapted to each other quite well. I have 16 more chicks coming from the grain store next week and will give a few to each of the hens still in the box with the eggs (which I believe are duds at this point). I also have a broody silkie and a broody frizzle. I am hoping to purchase some silkie eggs to put under her. Last year she raised some chicks for me and did a nice job. I love that I don't have to pull out the brooder and deal with lights and temperature and such. It was 30 degrees this morning and when I went to the coop to check on everyone, some chicks were eating at the feeder and the others were snugly tucked underneath Mama. All my birds are free range and I know that the days are getting warmer, I would expect she'll have them up on hill in a few days. That seems to be the pattern I've noticed in the past. Here in Vermont, it's still muddy with a few patches of snow here and there but it's wonderful to see the chickens back out in the pasture and hillside scratching and exploring. Despite the mud, I love this time of year!
I have pics of the hens and chicks and will add as soon as I download them from my phone.
I had three cochin bantams crammed in a nesting box sitting on four eggs. One hatched and they all stayed in the box so I picked up 6 chicks from the grain store, moved one of the hens and chick and added the 'orphans' in a ground level nesting box with food and water. nearby. Mama hen is taking excellent care of all the babies and they all adapted to each other quite well. I have 16 more chicks coming from the grain store next week and will give a few to each of the hens still in the box with the eggs (which I believe are duds at this point). I also have a broody silkie and a broody frizzle. I am hoping to purchase some silkie eggs to put under her. Last year she raised some chicks for me and did a nice job. I love that I don't have to pull out the brooder and deal with lights and temperature and such. It was 30 degrees this morning and when I went to the coop to check on everyone, some chicks were eating at the feeder and the others were snugly tucked underneath Mama. All my birds are free range and I know that the days are getting warmer, I would expect she'll have them up on hill in a few days. That seems to be the pattern I've noticed in the past. Here in Vermont, it's still muddy with a few patches of snow here and there but it's wonderful to see the chickens back out in the pasture and hillside scratching and exploring. Despite the mud, I love this time of year!
I have pics of the hens and chicks and will add as soon as I download them from my phone.
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