Non-broody surrogate silkie?

[namastemama]

I have some silkie eggs in my Brinsea right now and two lone silkie hens that are about a year old. Neither are broody, nor have they ever gone broody. I wonder would it be a disaster to think about trying to get them to care for the new babies?

 

[sumi]

If a hen is not broody it's highly unlikely she'll adopt chicks. I'm not saying it's impossible, as stranger things have happened with chickens, but I wouldn't try it. A hen can easily kill or badly injure a small chick.

 

[debid]

I might try it but in a controlled way. You can put hens and chicks in close proximity but with small-hole fencing between them. If they peep and she goes clucking and pacing at the fence, then you can move her to their side but still stand ready until they've bonded. If the hen doesn't respond (which is likely since she's never gone broody), you simply go about the business of brooding them yourself since you may well have two hens with no interest in rearing chicks.

 

[namastemama]

Thanks for the tips. I think I will try the fencing idea. It's worth a shot, if not no harm done and they can live in the bath tub, if it doesn't work out.

 

[ChickensAreSweet]

I would try putting a bunch of golf balls in your nesting box, and see if they get excited about all those "eggs." Maybe it will make them get in that broody mood.

I wouldn't give chicks to a non broody hen.

 

[debid]

I would try putting a bunch of golf balls in your nesting box, and see if they get excited about all those "eggs." Maybe it will make them get in that broody mood.

I wouldn't give chicks to a non broody hen.

This is also a great idea. When is your hatch date?