putting chicks under a broody hen

[NattyK]

I am curious about something..I have a broody banty hen, so I have been looking for a few bantam chicks to buy and put under her, of course to no avail. I don't want 15 chicks as I already about 35 chickens, just wanted to let my little banty hen raise a few chicks (her eggs weren't fertile). I talked to a nearby breeder today that acted like I was crazy, and told me that "you can't just put chicks under a hen and have her raise them". Well I beg to differ with her, I have MANY TIMES put a few babies under a hen and had everything turn out fine. I have never had a broody hen reject chicks. HAS ANY ONE ELSE HAD A VERY BROODY HEN REJECT CHICKS WHEN YOU PUT THEM UNDER HER IN THE PROPER WAY?? Just wondering, maybe I have just been lucky?

 

[oliviad51]

I have only tried this once, and when I did, the mother pecked the chicks for the first 20 minutes or so, but then, she took the chicks in and raised them. I hope it works again with a different hen because im getting little peeps in the mail in a few days! Good Luck to you and your chickens!

 

[chickensducks&agoose]

YES! My broody Chantecler really tried to kill the chicks I snuck under her in the night. it was quiet for like 3 or 4 minutes, then she discovered them, dragged them out from underneath her, and started pecking and biting, and flipping them up in the air... so i took 'em away. I'm going to try a few of my newest batch under my broody brahma, who is generally less insane.

 

[Kajunbanty]

A banty hen will raise anything, I have seen my grandmother put standard chicks under them, and they did great. I had a hen that had hatched some eggs and her chicks was big enough to take her away from them. I took her away and then about 3 days later had my sister call looking for a hen for some chicks they had. I took her over and she took all 25 of the new babies and raised them. I was surprised at that one but banty hens make the best moms.

 

[oliviad51]

Our hen that raised the chicks that we ordered in the mail was a RHR hen. Actually, it was two hens raising the babies!

 

[Kittymomma]

I had one EE hen reject chicks put under her at night, but that's the only time I've had a problem. I've given them chicks, ducklings, and turkeys with good results and I think I'll try peachicks next time.

 

[magoochie]

I have a broody hen who has been setting for almost 2 weeks. I keep taking her eggs away because my incubators are full!

I have eggs that are ready to put into lockdown. Should I stick a couple of those under her since they are ready to hatch? Or should I put chicks under her after they have hatched and dried out?

I have never had a broody before, so have no clue what to do. I really dont want to hatch out anymore than I already have going in the incubators right now.