Methods for getting a broody to adopt incubator chicks?

[dianneS]

I have eggs in the bator due to hatch this coming weekend. I have a hen that has just decided to go broody! I'd like to try and get her to adopt these chicks. What is the best methods for getting her to accept them? At what age should I give them to her? And should I put her in a brooder now with a heat lamp or something in case she rejects them?

 

[Southernbelle]

I'd probably give her the eggs now and let her hatch them. Is she in a secure area? As soon as you know she's definately broody and tight on her nest, go down at night and tuck the eggs under her. After the babies pip the inner membrane and they start peeping, she'll talk back to them and thus starts the bonding process between them.

If you'd rather wait until after they hatch, then give her some fake eggs now to sit on. I'd give the babies to the mama as soon as possible after they hatch. Take one of the day-old chicks down at night and tuck the baby under her, taking some of the fake eggs. Watch her for a little while and see what she does. She should start making soft clucking noises at the baby and letting the baby tuck underneath her. If she looks scared or uncomfortable or pecks at the baby, take him out. The next morning, if she still looks happy with her one baby, I'd go down that night and give her the rest of the babies.

Chickens can't count and most good broodies don't care if they sit for 2 days or 2 months before getting chicks, so I don't think it will be a problem that she hasn't sat for 21 days before she's given chicks, but you should still watch her carefully.

Congratulations on your broody girl! I love broodies.

 

[wegotchickens]

I did exactly what Southernbelle described with a broody hen and it was perfect. But she was a bad mama the first time, so if yours doesn't do well right away, give her another chance. My broody hen will now adopt any chick I put under her when she's in 'mother mode'.

 

[dianneS]

I never thought of giving her the eggs to sit on herself? Maybe I'll do that. I want to wait a few more days though and be sure she's really committed to her nest. I could take the three eggs she's sitting on and put them in the incubator and give her the one's I have in the bator now. Maybe I'll wait until day 18 to give them to her? Would that work? I think I should move her to a brooder right now though and give it a few days to see if she stays on the nest. She's in an upper level nest box and the chicks may not be able to follow her down from the nest when they do hatch.

 

[kellers58]

I have a really great mama that hatched 3 babies the 27th of June. I just hatched some babies in the incubator is like her to adopt. Can I do it, and if so, do I remove the older babies?