No luck with broody and mail order chicks

[NCF]

Hello everyone. I’ve just tried several times to give my broody hen the hatchery chicks I ordered for her. This is a hen that has raised two broods of hatchery chicks successfully. She has been a doll letting me clear out the days eggs from under her (leaving her a couple that are marked) and sitting tight for the entire three weeks. But I went up tonight after dark and got the chicks from their brooder and she was attacking my hands and the chicks. In the past there have been rough starts where I’ve had broodies peck chicks and I let them have a moment. The chicks usually scoot right under and the hen settles down but tonight was different the chicks were screaming beyond what I could tolerate. I tried different chicks twice an hour apart. In all she refused five attempts at two intervals. The chicks are back in the brooder and the damn broody is in the nest box waiting for God knows what. Gaahhh! Thanks for listening. It might be fun raising some by hand for a change. Right?!

 

[azygous]

You are the victim of a fickle broody hen. I know I'm not alone in saying you have all of my sympathy.

 

[NCF]

Thank you. I do appreciate that!

 

[gointothebirdsfarm]

Apparently she 's trying to tell you she wants to try it this way this time...and not gonna let YOU give her babies that haven't come from HER eggs...you arent in charge of picking her children LOL!!! gotta love broody hens...I've dealt with them myself quite a few times.

 

[lovesfarms]

That's disappointing! There's nothing better then having a feathered mama teaching and protecting the babies!

 

[Aunt Angus]

Maybe give it another go tomorrow night? Idk...