Putting chicks under broody

[henney penny]

This is my first time atempting this but I have read up on it,I have a sexlink two years old never been broody before,she has been on the nest for two weeks now sitting on a golf ball cause I have no more room for chickens,I do have four buff orpintons comming that has been ordered since March they will arrive Monday.I had no idea that a sexlink would go broody,I was told that hardly ever happens as it has been breed out of them.My question is I will put them under her at night as I have read,should I put all four under her or only two in case she rejects them?I am going to keep her in darkness and will get up early the next morning and check on her and the chicks.And if she accepts the two can I just put the other two under her anytime or wait untill the next night and do the same thing?I know a lot of quetions but am worried about the chicks,I do have a brooder ready for them if this does not work out.Has anyone done this before on here? Thnaks

 

[Lollipop]

Henney, it`s done all the time. Everything depends on the hens disposition. Put all 4 under her at night, like you said. Very important that you are there when she wakes up so you can see how she accepts them. You should know in just a few momonts how it`s gonna go. Hopefully you have the forthought to have her at ground level so they can leave and enter the nest and , also hopefully, the chicks you are getting are day old, or nearly that young. Good luck........Pop

 

[henney penny]

The chicks will two or three days old.I have her in a cage as I have no more room than that for her.I do have a large dog kennal that I was going to move them into after a few days,I should move her into that now then and leave the door open that night.The chicks would be safe but cold.Its still cold here at night(Maine)I hope she stays broody if I move her

 

[Sunny Side Up]

Pop is correct, it will depend mostly upon the disposition of the hen and her own unique component of broody skills. Which is difficult to determine until you see her at work. I also have a Black Sex-Link who went broody ONCE in her long life. She was a great setter but I didn't get to see her mother the chicks as they had some sort of complication at hatch & never came out. Looks like you've got a good set-up & plan, put them all in at night & get up early the next morning to see how they're doing. I sincerely

hope

it works out well, it will make your new chick-keeping chores so much easier if you can have your hen keep them warm & safe.

Keep in mind that most hens will want to leave their chicks after anywhere from 4-10 weeks, again the time differs with each individual hen & the voices only she hears in her little head. The point is that you'll still need to have a separate place to keep these chicks after Mom leaves & until they grow to adulthood.

Let us know how it works out!

 

[Lollipop]

Hmmm, good that you posted the pic. I would leave her there in that position until after the intros. If successfull, give them a day in that small pen and then move them all at night into the dog crate. Probably in a week or so they will need more room, but she will be "mama" for sure by then. Good luck.........Pop

 

[henney penny]

Thanks so much for the info,I feel more comfortable now that I have talked with peaple that have done it and encouraged me,I will make sure I let you know how things went and send pictures,thank you

 

[henney penny]

Baby chicks aren`t comming in untill the 13th or 14th.Oh well she really likes her golf ball lthe talks to it and moves it around.

 

[henney penny]

Moved her today to a bigger pen,she has not got back on her golf ball so she may not be broody anymore,but will leave her in there tonght and see in the morning.I have two silkies that are broody maybe will try one of them.

 

[henney penny]

back on her golf ball.

 

[henney penny]

Chicks are here will put them under her tonight,hope all goes well