Raising Baby Chicks Help

[Nina740]

I just got three baby Frizzles and need to know if I should put a hen in with them? I have a Buff Orpington who isn't laying at the moment and some Easter Eggers. Do you think I should put one of my hens with the chicks to care for them or will they hurt them?

 

[16 paws]

I just got three baby Frizzles and need to know if I should put a hen in with them? I have a Buff Orpington who isn't laying at the moment and some Easter Eggers. Do you think I should put one of my hens with the chicks to care for them or will they hurt them?

Do you have them in a brooder with heat? They need heat or they will die. You can only give them to a hen if she has been broody. Otherwise she will not take care of them.

 

[Nina740]

They are in a brooder with a heat lamp. The hen has been broody. I put her in with them. She hasn't done much at all. She is just keeping to herself. Do you think that will change?

 

[Hall Homestead]

I would just leave them in a brooder with the lamp. With a heat source, the hen isnt required. They will do just fine on their own. That will eliminate any chance of injury or otherwise

 

[azygous]

Please understand that hens are not natural mamas. Even a broody hen won't be inclined to mother chicks unless she has them hatch under her after sitting on them for three weeks.

Your broody is preoccupied with her fixation on needing to sit on eggs. As she returns to normal, she is capable of anything, including hurting the chicks. It's not a good idea to put her with the chicks. Only on very rare occasions has it been successful to have a broody adopt already hatched chicks.

It's safer for your chicks to keep them in the brooder with an artificial heat source. I recommend the Mama-heating pad chick cave system. If your chicks are just a few days old, they would be very likely to take to this system. It's very natural and there's no danger of overheating from a heat lamp.

 

[Lanlul]

Your broody hen could be the exception; however, it does not appear that way. When she snaps to, I fear she will kill the chicks. Your call. Keep us posted, ok?

 

[Nina740]

I took her out because she wasn't really letting them near her. Otherwise they are doing great with their heat lamp and seem to be happy. Thanks everyone for the help! I'll send some pics in the morning.