question about putting new chicks under a broodie hen

[cgjsmith]

I have three hens two of which have been setting for almost 3 months (the eggs never hatch) I was going to put some babies under them 9I have some hatching tonight tomorrow and some next week) My big worry is 1) one of the hens is in a box that is set up on a block. I don't see how the babies would be able to get out of the box to get to food and water. and 2) would my other hens that have been setting get jelouse and try and take the babies? I have one roo that has just kept on servicing the hen even while she is setting. I don't want the roo to hurt the babies. Should I put them under the hen then move them all to a safer place? Crystal

 

[slaphappykitten]

i would like to hear the answer to that also.

 

[justusnak]

I would waite untill dark...then move the hen that has been setting the longest...and put the babies under her in a safe place away from the roo. PLEASE dont let the roo "service" the hens while setting. He needs to be penned up, away from the broodys. He might hurt them. If they are very intent on setting....they wont run from him even if he is hurting them.

 

[cgjsmith]

I try and get him penned but he always manages to escape (hes a little easter egger banty.) I'm seriously thinking of moving the broody to my nersery pen that holds 4 weeks to whenever they are big enough to fly over the fencing...

 

[silkiechicken]

Why don't you just pop a pair of chicks under each broody at night so when they all wake up they hens will adopt at the same time and not get up off the nest thinking their chicks hatched and end up taking each others babies?

 

[jimnjay]

Crystal remember the chicks will not need any food for several days. After you see if the hen or hens accept the babies you can move them to a safe place. I think I know which pen you are talking about and that probably wont hold out the rooster. Do you still have babies in that pen? A new mama may not like the older chicks. At least most of mine did not. I have one especially protective hen that allows some juveniles to sleep in the coop but she keeps the babies in the coop seperated during the day and raises cain if the older ones go in there. If Chipper is one of the broodies, I feel sure she will accept the babies. I have placed a single chick that was not hers under her with her new hatch before.

 

[panner123]

First: you need a new roo, if after 3 months and no eggs have hatched, I would say the roo is infertial.
Lower the one box and place the chicks under each. Watch them in the morning, they should do fine. And the girls while like the break.

 

[cgjsmith]

the problem is ther are at least 4 roos in that pen. two easter eggers a frizzle, and a silkie that just reached crowing age. there is a possability they can't reach the hens.
Jaynie, One is chipper I plan on putting the cuckoo marans under her next week. I was wanting to put the seabright under white Lady. the RIR/Favrilla mix that you gave me is also setting but hasn't been for near as long as the other two. I waas worried about the nursery pen just because the silkies you gave me are in there. I might have to do some rearranging put the turkeys and guineas in an outside pen and put the little ones in the other pen. I'll have to think on it a little bit. Crystal

 

[jimnjay]

Ah girl, I know the problem well. I keep shuffling groups of chickens. I have three broodies, 5 raising babies, randy roosters with no hens, they are all ties up with families. I am going to be more organized next year. I have built a few cages for the roosters. I just don't have room for them and all the seperate families anymore. I feel for you girl.

 

[cgjsmith]

ok babies were hatched around 6 this morning will she still take them if they are not just out of the egg?