Stuck some chicks under broody hen

[NHchicks]

I had 2 broody hens this month. One in the bushes, and one the coop. I had to buy eggs to put under them because there's no rooster. (neighbor doesn't like the noise) The hen in the bushes was flushed out by a predator one night - fortunately she was okay but she left the nest for a while so I put those eggs under the cooped broody. Only that didn't go real well either for whatever reason and I don't think any of the eggs are going to hatch. There are only 4 left, between being pushed out or broken, and they have a terrible odor. So I picked up 4 RIR pullet chicks at the feed store today, and tonight after dark we put those chicks in the coop with broody hen.

It was funny because it was chilly out tonight and the chicks were peeping like crazy. We put them in the coop, and they just peeped to high heavens. The broody hen just kind of looked at them, pecked them a little, and seemed welcoming. We turned off the flashlight for a few minutes to give them time to adjust. Slowly we heard the others quiet down except for one screaming peeper. So my daughter finally took the chick and pushed it under broody hen. All of a sudden, silence. Everyone was quiet.

We'll see how well they've adjusted in the morning. And if the eggs still haven't hatched, it will be time to throw those out.

I've never tried pawning chicks off on a broody hen before, but hopefully she won't notice they aren't hers. In the spring I may try giving her a few baby ducks.

 

[LaynaDon95]

I had a duck accept a chick once. Actually fairly recently. Unfortunately he drowned, (long story) but it was sweet while it lasted. He rode on her back while the duckling followed her around in a little trail. Good luck with the chicks! It's much easier than you would think, at least is was for me. I was on pins and needles. "What if she kills him? OMG what if she kills him?!" But it was fine. Keep me posted!

 

[donrae]

I've had good results doing just what you described, a night-time switcheroo. I'd SO much rather let the hen raise the babies than brood them myself!

 

[LaynaDon95]

I've had good results doing just what you described, a night-time switcheroo. I'd SO much rather let the hen raise the babies than brood them myself!

x2! They are sooo much healthier. (Well, actually I had a hen hatch out 7 chicks a little over a month ago. 1 disappeared, 1 got a tumor, and one has an injured keg. 0.o Not her fault, but I mean, jeez.)
For the most part though, it's so much easier, the chicks are so much healthier, and it's just fun to watch!

 

[LaynaDon95]

injured keg?

Um, no. I meant leg.

 

[CarolJ]

I had two broody hens - plus eggs in the bator - all scheduled to hatch at the same time - just two weeks ago. I took the ten chicks from the bator and put them under the broody hens. So they had ten new chicks in addition to the ones they hatched themselves. They all "took" - and the two broodies are co-parenting all the chicks. It's really amazing how they take care of that swarm of chicks!

 

[LaynaDon95]

I had two broody hens - plus eggs in the bator - all scheduled to hatch at the same time - just two weeks ago. I took the ten chicks from the bator and put them under the broody hens. So they had ten new chicks in addition to the ones they hatched themselves. They all "took" - and the two broodies are co-parenting all the chicks. It's really amazing how they take care of that swarm of chicks!

Aww. I've only ever had 1 duck and 1 hen go broody, and at different times, so no co-parenting here. Maybe someday. I've seen it happen. It's so cute!

 

[LaynaDon95]

Though my other muscovy hen does seem to babysit for my Mama duck sometimes. But they are all big enough to watch out for themselves now.