Update:It’s working!!! Only 2 hatched...trying to get silkie to help

[Kseale1986]

I ordered some shipped eggs and only had 2 hatch. The air cells were so wonky I almost didn’t set them at all. 22 days later I have 2/24 chicks. I didn’t think I would have any so I’m a little surprised. There is 1 tiny Serama and 1 Appenzeller Spitzhauben. I pulled them from the incubator and had planned to use a heat plate but all they did was chirp like mad. If I held them they were fine. I’d put them under the plate and after 15-20 minutes of chirping I picked them back up. This happened a few time before I decided I had to come up with a better solution. Please don’t judge because I don’t know what else to do. I pulled my silkie hen from her month old chicks to sit on them. She is chirping back and forth to them trying to get them to eat but not really sitting down on them. She is letting them go under her and isn’t being at all aggressive. She seems to be fine with them but she has only been on them for about an hour and a half. Any other suggestions would be appreciated. Thanks in advance

 

[Wezdin]

If she is not mean to them I would let them stay with her. Good luck!

 

[Kseale1986]

15 hours later and my sweet silkie is doing an excellent job with my chicks. Unbelievable. I’m so happy I could scream.

 

[Keeperofmunchkins]

Have you taken the 4 week old chicks away permanently?

 

[Kseale1986]

I couldn’t leave the older ones mixed with the new ones because they are a very active bunch. I was too afraid that the little ones would get hurt. The month old chicks are still in their own little coop right outside my door. They are doing really good too.

 

[chickens really]

I couldn’t leave the older ones mixed with the new ones because they are a very active bunch. I was too afraid that the little ones would get hurt. The month old chicks are still in their own little coop right outside my door. They are doing really good too.

That's awesome. You have a really good Broody Momma.

 

[Kseale1986]

That's awesome. You have a really good Broody Momma.

I know and I can’t believe it. I really didn’t think it would work. With her chicks being as old as they are I didn’t think she would take to new babies. This morning I pick her up off of them to make sure they were okay and she did that whole mama hen growl thing at me. I’m taking that as a good sign.
I should have known. One of her babies out of her first batch didn’t make. She went crazy for looking for that baby after I took it out. She was pacing, clucking, and digging through the bedding for hours. I was scared she was going to hurt the 4 she had left. After about 5-6 hours I had enough and went to Atwoods to buy her some more chicks. Of course Arkansas law says you have to buy a minimum of 6. Most of the chicks were a few days old but I got 2 that were about 2 weeks old.
I got out the car with that chirping box and thought she was going to come through that hardware cloth. I put them straight under her and she wiggles down on them happy as could be with herself. She has done an excellent job raising those babies. I know I should have had an isolation period but I was stuck and had to make a judgement call. Fortunately, I didn’t make the wrong one.

 

[chickens really]

I know and I can’t believe it. I really didn’t think it would work. With her chicks being as old as they are I didn’t think she would take to new babies. This morning I pick her up off of them to make sure they were okay and she did that whole mama hen growl thing at me. I’m taking that as a good sign.
I should have known. One of her babies out of her first batch didn’t make. She went crazy for looking for that baby after I took it out. She was pacing, clucking, and digging through the bedding for hours. I was scared she was going to hurt the 4 she had left. After about 5-6 hours I had enough and went to Atwoods to buy her some more chicks. Of course Arkansas law says you have to buy a minimum of 6. Most of the chicks were a few days old but I got 2 that were about 2 weeks old.
I got out the car with that chirping box and thought she was going to come

My Silkie was on a Staggered hatch so the first ones hatched within 2 days the last was 3 days later and she was so exciting to see the last chick I hatched it in my incubator. She quickly tucked it under her and they are doing great.

 

[Kseale1986]

My Silkie was on a Staggered hatch so the first ones hatched within 2 days the last was 3 days later and she was so exciting to see the last chick I hatched it in my incubator. She quickly tucked it under her and they are doing great.

How awesome! I’ve heard about silkies being good moms and you always hear someone say “mother hen” to describe protective nurturing behavior in a person. But to see it with my own eyes in person is just amazing.

 

[chickens really]

Update from me...I just received 11 Speckled Sussex and the same Momma who's Chicks are 6 weeks is in my house now mothering the 11 Sussex babies. It was nothing to do. I picked her up in my Coop and set her in the Brooder with the Chicks. Instantly she began Clucking And mothering them..
I knew it works with good Broody hens..