So many questions! (Getting hen to accept chicks)

[Deucebland]

I have a broody hen, about 3 weeks in I think. Twice she has left a clutch to go sit in an empty nest. I went today and got day old chicks. I tried putting them under her and she growled, pecked at me (her usual broody behavior) but after I set them uNader her, she pecked at the chicks also. I snatched them back up, tried again a couple hours later, and same thing.
questions…
1. should I try again tonight when it’s dark, tomorrow, or is it not going to happen?
2. would it help if I gave her a separate space and if so is it better to do it inside the coop or in a separate coop? (I have a small coop sitting vacant)
A. If I use the separate coop, will there be issue reintroducing her and the babies to the rest of the flock?
B. When/how do I do that?
Thanks!

 

[oldhenlikesdogs]

Usually if a hen is going to accept them it's right away. Most hens bond with chicks during the hatching period. Some need that to accept chicks. Some hens never actually want chicks and have no idea what they are. I personally wouldn't keep trying. Hens will kill chicks that are not their own.

 

[Chookchicken]

Is it very violent pecking? Sneaking them under her in the night when she won’t accept them then most likely would just get them killed. I’d look at getting a brooder with a heat lamp ASAP. Some hens just aren’t meant to be mums.

 

[Deucebland]

Is it very violent pecking? Sneaking them under her in the night when she won’t accept them then most likely would just get them killed. I’d look at getting a brooder with a heat lamp ASAP. Some hens just aren’t meant to be mums.

I would say very aggressive. I snatched before it could get violent.
I was afraid this was the answer I would get. I had the brooder set up just in case. I wasn’t planning on raising more chicks myself, but thought it would be fun for her (and me!) to let her raise some.

 

[Deucebland]

Usually if a hen is going to accept them it's right away. Most hens bond with chicks during the hatching period. Some need that to accept chicks. Some hens never actually want chicks and have no idea what they are. I personally wouldn't keep trying. Hens will kill chicks that are not their own.

Not the answer I wanted, but the one I expected. Thanks!

 

[Coops Dad]

My broodies accept day old chicks only when I sneak them in at night. Like Indiana Jones replacing the golden idol with a bag of sand, in goes a chick and out comes an egg until all the chicks are warm and safe under momma.

So far, I haven't had any chicks rejected but did lose two to an aggressive non-broody hen who killed them when they wandered too far from momma.

 

[Deucebland]

My broodies accept day old chicks only when I sneak them in at night. Like Indiana Jones replacing the golden idol with a bag of sand, in goes a chick and out comes an egg until all the chicks are warm and safe under momma.

So far, I haven't had any chicks rejected but did lose two to an aggressive non-broody hen who killed them when they wandered too far from momma.

I’m glad it worked for you. Sorry about the loss of the others.