New Addition to the Flock

[sammylenhart]

sammylenhart
So my broody hen just hatched her first . I'm worried about her killing the baby . I've never let them hatch any before . Any tips or advice

edited by staff

 

[Wishing4Wings]

If she's hatched it and hasn't killed it yet, I think it will be okay. She has been hearing the chick peep before it hatched and the hormones that made her broody also make her receptive to the hatchling. I think other hens are a bigger risk to a new chick, so keep her and the baby separated for a few weeks (or more), at least until the chick is mostly fledged. If there is only one chick, it will be much better off being raised by a broody and easier to integrate it into the existing flock. Good luck!