Have you done this before? Introduce baby chicks to a hen, that is. Is the hen broody when you do this? I imagine this depends on the hen if they will accept them or not. How about the other hens. Do you separate the new mama hen and chicks? Can you please give details.
 
Have you done this before? Introduce baby chicks to a hen, that is. Is the hen broody when you do this? I imagine this depends on the hen if they will accept them or not. How about the other hens. Do you separate the new mama hen and chicks? Can you please give details.
This is her 3rd year raising chicks so she knows what she's doing.
Currently, I only let her and the chicks be around the flock while I'm supervising. Otherwise, they're in their secure pen where the flock can only see them but not touch.
We currently have broody pullet who's been trying to steal her chicks but so far has gotten her butt kicked by our hen.
 
And you’ve always introduced chicks to her? I hadn’t thought of doing this before and am wondering if it would work for one of my hens. How did you choose her in the first place?
It was mostly because she's half silkie so I decided to allow her to raise chicks. Silkies are known to be one of the best mother hens. I also did a whole lot research before I just gave her chicks.
And I only give her the chicks at night since she can't see them. It helps with her accepting them.
Make sure you do a lot of research before you give a broody hen chicks. And make sure you check them often during the first night before you know that she's accepted them.
I'm a natural night owl so I tend to stay up until dawn so I was able to check them every half hour until I was completely sure she accepted them.
 
I am going to try to introduce my orphans (Has it's own story posted) to a hen tonight depending who is trying to hatch. I tried it briefly today in daylight not really expecting it to take. I have two hens co mothering a pair of chicks and they are still taking turns trying to hatch eggs. Those Girls are crazy I'm hoping that I can introduce these chicks to the silkie duccle mix hen that is co mothering with the hen that hatched eggs. cross your fingers for me. your story gives me hope.
 
Well went out to close coops and runs and slipped in mud busted my coop pop door and the ramp and did it with my ribs. So I did not make it out later to try to introduce Eggsy and the orphans to a hen. Might still try tonight if I'm functional.
 
So sad update for my chicks. Our little bantam ended up passing away early this morning. Mouse doesn't seem to know as she's focused on the other 2 chicks.
The bantam chick that passed away wasn't doing so well yesterday so I'm not surprised it ended up not making it. A little sad it's gone but at least whatever it was suffering from can't make it suffer anymore.
 

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