question about putting new chicks under a broodie hen

[Whirlwind]

Yep I bet she will. I put 1 week old babies under mine and all was well. Sounds like if they have been sitting that long they really want babies. I put mine under at 10 pm and by morning they were one happy family.
Good luck!! keep us posted on what happens.

Forgot to add I would also move them if you can. My momma fights with anything that gets near her or her babies. Even if they are 4 or 5 times her size. She has gotten beaten up once while they were all free ranging. I have also broken up things before they got out of control by waving the broom at them. Never hit them with it but they think its a monster and run for the hills. lol

 

[jimnjay]

I think anytime today or tonight will be fine. Actually like mentioned they can accept babies that are several days old. You might place a couple of chicks under her to see how it goes and then add the rest if all goes well.

 

[cgjsmith]

ok its 9 at night I just went down to the barn and moved her. I carried three of the babies down with me (the other two are having problems) I got her in the nursery pen box and all and about got my hand eat up! I walked around a little bit to see if she would calm down. so when I go back in there I get some hardwire cloth and kinda pull her up a little bit and put one of the babies down there. at first she acts like shes going to peck at it and i was ready for a rescue. but she kinds pecked it then moved it under her. a great sign so I thought!! So I put the other two down next to her as well (using the hardwire cloth again I'm such a chicken ha ha) and she started pecking againg and i thought oh great I'm going to have dead babies! But I waited and again once they cheeped a little and started moving around she started shoving them back up under her and fluffing up. one of the babies moved to the side of the box so I go to reach down there to move it back and she once again tried to take a chunk of my hand. I sat there for about 10 min and once she seemed to settle down I walked on out. But its killing me. i left the light on so I could go check one more time before I go to bed. I really hope this workes. These babies are special to me as they are from my grannie- in law chickens who got ate last week. But this hen really deserves a family after sitting for so long.
Now a question about the Roo's I was seriously thinking of locking them out. i can put a gate in front of the pen exit and they would be fine there is shade and i can put a feeder & waterer out in the run. what do ya'll think? I imagin they would need tobe like that for a couple of weeks at least right. Just until the babies get a little bigger? Crystal

 

[jimnjay]

I would do just that Crystal, The roos need to leave her alone for 4 weeks I would say. Chipper has never laid a fertile egg so I would not expect her eggs to ever be fertile. You can count on her to brood babies till she drops. Give her some special treats to help build her back up. Boiled egg mixed with dry oatmeal and yogurt is a favorite of my girls. She will try to feed the babies too but hold it right in front of her so she has a chance to get plenty. She really does not peck very hard.

 

[bantymum]

Well done Crystal,
I know what it is like to watch a mum with 2 stepchicks! I trust that they are well and happy.
How are they going?

 

[Whirlwind]

Sound like you got a little momma on your hands. That is exactly what my hen did. I think the kind of pecking is just her way of checking them out. Fluffed up and putting them under her is a really good sign.

I forgot to mention that I did wear thick gloves when I did this.

How's it going this morning. Any news yet.

 

[bantymum]

Yes I agree, i forgot to mention that my broody pecked the littlies which made my heart jump but she only did it once then fluffed up and said a little "bbbbrrrrrr"" sound which settled them down and tucked them under.
If your girl tucked them into bed its a sure bet that they are ok.
Good luck

 

[cgjsmith]

Ok sorry been a busy weekend. I went down and put the 4th and last little chick under her and left them be for a little bit. this was the hen that was in the box so I just moved the whole box into the Nursery ha ha. I blocked off the end so that the other chicks in the nursery wouldn't bother them. The next morning (day 3)I was getting worried becauseI only heard three litlle peeps. I gently dumped the box over so she was forced to come out and saw to my dismay one dead baby and one that was just lying there. the other two were happy and healthy and just loved their new found freedom. i half expected one to die because I had to peel away one membrain (there were two ever heard of that!!one wrapped snug and wet the other dry and starting to shrink) I tried to get the one that was laying there to go over to the hen but she ignored it and packed at it. So I brought it inside with me got it some electrolite fluids and made it drink every hour or so. by the next day it was eating and had pasty butt (so fun) today is the third day in the house (it was one of the last one born a full day after the others with the double membrane one) and is eating drinking pooping and crying ALL THE TIME. Its so spoiled one of us pickes it up and its loud peep peeps go to a "peep purr" as my daughter calls it. I was thinking of putting it back in with the hen so it will have the company of the other chicks but my hubby said he didn't think the hen would take it again. any suggestions? As for the peeping I put a wash rag in its box and it peeps loudly until noone answered then runns to the rag cuddles under and starts peep purring. Its too funny. Anyway I need to figure out what to do with this baby before its too far spoiled. Crystal