Success rate of sneaking chicks under broody hen?

[Chubbicthe2nd]

What's the success rate of sneaking chicks under a broody hen in the middle of the night? Any anecdotal evidence from anyone, any tips for success? Worried about my broody hen, she's been on a nest of non-viable eggs for way too long

 

[BlindLemonChicken]

My success rate is 0. I tried it once, apparently too late after the others hatched. I put them under her at night and they were fine until morning when she noticed they were white. Or something. Idk but I heard their little panic peeps so I put them back in the brooder before she could peck a hole in their heads. Others here have had success though

 

[Livia Ammon]

My success rate is 0. I tried it once, apparently too late after the others hatched. I put them under her at night and they were fine until morning when she noticed they were white. Or something. Idk but I heard their little panic peeps so I put them back in the brooder before she could peck a hole in their heads. Others here have had success though

Did you put them under her after a long enough time? I’ve heard they won’t accept chicks before 2 weeks of brooding

 

[I Love Feather Babies]

Did you put them under her after a long enough time? I’ve heard they won’t accept chicks before 2 weeks of brooding

I’ve done it several times and been lucky each time. I put the broody hen in a pen by herself after she had been sitting for a couple of weeks. On the 20th - 21st day I’ll get chicks and slip them under her about an hour after dark and remove any eggs that haven’t shown life after candling. Of course I’m out there at sunrise to check on them and make sure they are ok.

 

[Debbie292d]

I've done it and four out of five times it worked.

I've never moved a hen with eggs or chicks or anything. I've just made them an overturned box on the floor with straw in it and food/water, so they have a ground-level place after they've come down. Hens teach the chicks to come down the ramp. (These are Silkies who have a ramp up to their nest boxes.)

 

[GuineaMania]

I've heard very good success with it. I tried to slip chicks under my broody, Emerald, during the day. She did not accept them.

 

[Mrs. K]

I have always had it work like a charm. It does depend on a couple of things. You need to have fresh chicks, less than 3 days old. For this to be a success, they need to be part of the relationship. A lot of people think it is all about the broody hen, but a huge part is the chicks.

When you get you chicks, get them a drink of water. They don't need anything to eat, they are still on the yolk. The next part sounds a bit mean, but it works. Wait til nearly dark. Take your chicks out, and let them be exposed to the night air. I just sit with them outside of the the coop where my broody hen is. I wear a thick sweat shirt and gloves. The chicks will be peeping wildly because they are getting cold. You want them to be cold.

I do not mess with the fake eggs under her at this time. If I think there are eggs that should have hatched, I will remove them in the daylight when I can see what I am doing.

I just go into the coop, with a minimal light, pointed towards the ground, then I take a chick in hand, and stick it under her, she will peck me often times. I work quickly, and get them all under her.

Now it should get quiet. Those chicks are tired, and have finally found a good warm place. They will burrow into that space like a tick and go to sleep. The hens voice will change, and she makes a difference noise, but the chicks are silent.

Then leave. Mine usually have them out of the nest and onto the floor within 12 hours. Others have reported longer, but mine always leave the hatching nest.

Then it is easy. That's it. She introduces them to the flock, and they stick to her pretty well.

Mrs K