Putting chicks under hen

[Bigegges]

I have a hen that has been broody and sitting on the golf balls for 4 weeks now and isn’t stopping. I am wondering how well would she accept chicks that we buy at the store and put them under her

 

[thehenandchick01234]

They always act differently when this happens. If you do it have a brooder on hand. And watch what she does even hours afterwards.

 

[Acre4Me]

Do it at night, in darkness -or low light so you can see just enough to do the task. Be quiet. Tuck the chicks under her wings, and body. If she is in a nest, you may want to block it off or move her to a floor level nest, and still put something around to contain the young chicks at first.

yes, you will need to check on her first thing in the morning, when she is awake with daylight. Some hens are great sitters, but not very good moms. Sometimes a momma hen is aggressive and will kill the chicks.

we have had success with a broody accepting chicks like this -broody on fake eggs for at least 2.5-3 weeks. We placed chicks at night and all were accepted. We have done this a few times. Get chicks under a week, but the younger the better. We introduced day olds, three day olds and 5 day olds. Not at the same time. All were accepted. But the chicks need to be young enough to want to be mothered too!