I don't want to be alarmed so I'm just kind of taking this as it comes, but I gave my broody hen 4 chicks this morning before it got light. She was sitting on them for at least an hour before she had enough light to see them. She's been broody for 3.5 weeks and is a Buff Orp.
Anyway, she isn't really mothering them, but she's not hurting them either. Slight pecks at them here and there, but nothing that has hurt them. After an hour I went outside and pulled them out from under her one by one. She seems confused and a little upset with me, but not the chicks. ONe of them keeps pecking her wattles mercilessly and she just sits there. They have each eaten and drank right next to her and when they try to get back under her she just sits there and doesn't really cover them, so the last time that happened I lifted up her front end to help them all out.
Will she get the hang of this mothering thing or does it look bleak? Does she just need more time? I don't want them to die from lack of care but I also know she'll still sit on the nest for a couple days before taking them out, which is why I gave them food in the nest.
Anyway, she isn't really mothering them, but she's not hurting them either. Slight pecks at them here and there, but nothing that has hurt them. After an hour I went outside and pulled them out from under her one by one. She seems confused and a little upset with me, but not the chicks. ONe of them keeps pecking her wattles mercilessly and she just sits there. They have each eaten and drank right next to her and when they try to get back under her she just sits there and doesn't really cover them, so the last time that happened I lifted up her front end to help them all out.
Will she get the hang of this mothering thing or does it look bleak? Does she just need more time? I don't want them to die from lack of care but I also know she'll still sit on the nest for a couple days before taking them out, which is why I gave them food in the nest.