new chicks this week....put with broody mom?

[vegaburm]

So i have 7 chicks coming in the next couple days here.

I have a very broody Favorelle out in the coop. I'm wondering if I should put them with her. But, I don't want to put them out in the coop. 1. My coop is off the ground. 2. the 4 chickens live with 5 Guineas and I am unsure how the guineas will treat the newcomers.

So, should I just put them in the brooder? Seems a waste when I have a mom ready for them. I was wondering if I could move the broody hen inside to the brooder area, which is pretty large, like 4' by 2 1/2'. Let her raise them in there for a couple weeks and then move them to a place alongside the main coop (which I'd have to build) before eventually mixing them in.

Just wondering what other people have experienced here, in grafting chicks but also moving the broody hen to a different area.

i can always just raise them in the breeder, but she is so broody it would be nice for them to have a mama.

 

[Jmanvanatta]

She will attck them unles you put them under her at night and she hase to be sitting for around 18-21 days or she wont think they are hers and will reject them.

 

[California_chickie]

She will attck them unles you put them under her at night and she hase to be sitting for around 18-21 days or she wont think they are hers and will reject them.

Yep. Chances are she will attack them-- or if she doesn't, the others will. It's cruel, but it happens. I would keep them in the brooder for at least a week, then maybe slowly expose her to them for short periods of time. I usually bring my nicest hen in with the little ones, and make up my "special mash" (medicated chick starter crumbles, mixed with H20 and ACV) as a treat--one for the hen, one for the chicks to see how she reacts to it. Of course, all animals are super protective with their food, but it gives me an oppty to really watch the hens behavior with the chicks.

 

[vegaburm]

IF I did it, which is only an IF. I would move broody mom inside into the brooder tonight. In a small nesting box similar to where she is with fake eggs. Then when my chicks come sneak them under her in the nighttime. And sit there watching to see how she reacts and rescue them if needed. Then after a week or two move them to s location separate from the other hens for a time and introduce them after the new babies are close to full size. Probably by letting them free range together first.

Favorelle has been broody I think a couple weeks now. I didn't think about it at the time or I would have written it down. She is glued to the nest with a ceramic egg.

I don't know. Just know almost all creatures do better when raise by a parent. I'm sure she would be a comfort to them if she was willing to be a mama. She is a very gentle hen, lowest in the pecking order. Even broody all she does is puff up at me when I check for other eggs under her. She is our only chicken that our children can pick up and pet. And she gets picked on by the others so she could almost use a time of separation from them.

 

[AZ_HenHouse]

I have put chicks under a broody before and she has accepted some and not others. The ones that she did not accept were placed about 4 days after hatching after she had gotten off the nest. She is not dumb--she knew how many she took off the nest. Funny thing though she did accept the 2 I put under her the day she started hatching before she got off the nest. It is way easier to let a hen raise them and they always seem hardier than if I try.
Good luck with your decision

 

[vegaburm]

Well, I brought broody mom inside last night and she is still broody, guarding her fake eggs. Chicks came today, so after darkI am going to try t o slip them in. And then watch, ready to take her out if she doesn't react favorably. I don't want to hurt any of my new babies!

 

[n8ivetxn]

Yeah! fun times

 

[vegaburm]

Well, I've snuck them in. I'm thinking of getting up at 5 am so I can see how she reacts at dawn. I'm not a morning person....but it would be worth it. She acted fine with them. I slipped them under her wings and no negative reactions. They are quiet and happy, she just fluffed up, adjusted to l et them fit, and talked to them a bit. Hope things are well in the morning! Fingers crossed!

 

[Jmanvanatta]

What kind of chicks?

 

[vegaburm]

2 copper marans, 2 speckled Sussex, 2 silver laced polish, and one silver laced Wyandotte. All are still snuggled quiet and happy under mama. One had come out, and on seeing us dove back under. Lol. She is still sitting the nest......and they are really quiet. Should I check on them? Bring them out to drink and eat?? They are three day olds not one day olds, what if they need to eat before she thinks it is time to leave the nest? I know, I need to relax....