Missing broody egg - can I give her a store bought chick now?

[JacinLarkwell]

My broody took them at 2pm.

My broody would probably set on a tennis shoe for two months and adopt a Great Dane pup if given the right opportunity.

I’d get the chicks. Keep them isolated and warm, read this as don’t handle them. Then slide them under her after dark. This will give the chicks a chance to figure out the warm hen is safe, and give the hen overnight to hear these little things under her. When you introduce, ive heard you slide them under without her seeing them.
Good luck!!

I honestly didn't even slide them under her. It was broad daylight and I set them out in front of her with the other chicks she had. She gave each one a single peck, probably either a 'Well where have you been til now?' Or a 'Get over here where it's safe from that person.'

 

[countryladyNH]

My broody when she started to sit had 1 real egg and 1 porcelain egg under her. I gave her another fertilized egg to also sit on. Today is day 12. The one I gave her I just saw today was cracked and the chick obviously dead. I looked to check for the other egg and it was gone. I searched high and low in the coop and her, I felt under her wings and lifted up her body and nothing. I’m so confused what happened with it. About 2 days ago that egg was the one that was on the ground of the coop so maybe it was a bad egg and she knocked down again and the other chickens ate it shell and all? I have 1/4 inch hardware everywhere on my coop so I doubt a snake. Anyway, you lose some you win some.

At this point I’m looking to give her a chick since she has been super diligent as a broody and I want to reward her for that. Should I wait to put a day old chick under at night until her 21 days is up or does it not matter when? She is only sitting on a porcelain egg right now.

Any help is appreciated!

I would leave the fake egg for a few more day. I would then remove the egg and introduce her to a baby chick. I would do this in the daytime, NOT at night; she could reject the chick at night and it would die. (This happened to us once and it was heartbreaking). Chickens are not rocket scientists; if you just show her the chick in the day time after you just remove the egg she will probably take it under her wing instantly. You have to make sure she accepts it. Her hormones will probably make sure she does. Color of chick or breed makes no difference; A chicken will even raise a little duckling! Good luck! Let us all know.

 

[countryladyNH]

Well then I guess I’ll have to break her brooding because no place is selling chicks young. The people at the feeds stores that have chicks were less then helpful as to when they got those chicks or when or if they will be getting more. What is the oldest age 2/3 days?

Don't worry. You can put the week old chicks with her. She will not know the difference. Just introduce them to her in daytime.

 

[JacinLarkwell]

Don't worry. You can put the week old chicks with her. She will not know the difference. Just introduce them to her in daytime.

The problem is that the chicks have to accept the hen as their mother too. She might accept them but if they're older than a few day, they won't see her as a mother.

 

[Jenwisp]

It sounds like your nest boxes are high enough for an egg to fall and break. I would make a new nest for her lower to ground for chick safety.

 

[Finnie]

How long would you separate them for? I worry with seperation as this hen is low in the pecking order and I feel integration back in with a chick would be difficult.

Actually, when she is raising chicks, she will be fierce and protective. Those other hens will learn not to mess with her.

I kept mine separated with chicks for about 5 weeks. Most wait until the chicks are weaned and then just introduce all of them at once

I don’t wait nearly that long. 3 or 4 days, for mom and chicks to get used to each other, and then I open her door up and let her bring them out.

The problem is that the chicks have to accept the hen as their mother too. She might accept them but if they're older than a few day, they won't see her as a mother.

Oh, I don’t think that would be a problem. Even 1-2 week old chicks look for some kind of security. It’s instinctive for them to want to follow and snuggle up to a bigger bird, if it will let them. You could put them in a brooder with 4 week old chicks, and right away they would be trying to crowd underneath the bigger chicks.

@HippieAtHeart how did it go? Did you give her any chicks?

 

[linhawk]

At this point I’m looking to give her a chick since she has been super diligent as a broody and I want to reward her for that. Should I wait to put a day old chick under at night until her 21 days is up or does it not matter when? She is only sitting on a porcelain egg right now.
Any help is appreciated!

I usually wait until almost day 21 then when it's dark 10:30/ 11 olock i put vanilla on her beak and vanilla on the chick/s and slide it/them under her. ( 9 out of10 times she has accepted them.) Must be done in the dark, no light.

 

[countryladyNH]

The problem is that the chicks have to accept the hen as their mother too. She might accept them but if they're older than a few day, they won't see her as a mother.

The chicks will not have any problem seeing the hen as their mother. We've seen this with people over and over. Their older chicks (within reason) instantly bond with the hen!

 

[countryladyNH]

I usually wait until almost day 21 then when it's dark 10:30/ 11 olock i put vanilla on her beak and vanilla on the chick/s and slide it/them under her. ( 9 out of10 times she has accepted them.) Must be done in the dark, no light.

Totally disagree. We had disastrous results trying to do this. Much safer and better to introduce the chicks and hen in daytime with you there.

 

[Sonya9]

Definitely wait until it is closer to the 21st. Too early and she may reject them (they are driven by hormones/timing). Also get at least 2-3 chicks and not just one. a single chick can have a very rough time when the mother cuts them loose as they have NO friends/siblings to hang out with or roost with (it can be pretty sad and the stress is very unhealthy).
Keep her on a dud egg until closer to the 21st day and introduce the chicks under her at night. Make sure she stays visible to the flock the entire time (not gone for days). Then when she has her chicks most folks separate out the hen/chicks for at least 2-3 days before allowing them to mix with the bigger birds. If you separate the hen/chicks entirely (out of line of sight) for several days that may mean having to go through integrating the chicks weeks from now which is much more difficult, much more stressful on the chicks and something to avoid if at al possible.