Using a hen as a brooder?

[Maddison]

I have some chicks due soon and as no-one actually told me I couldn't use the incubator as a brooder it's too late now as I don't have the money to buy one... I planned to put my new chicks under my hen/s at night so she would adopt them, my one particular hen (the one in my avatar picture) is the kindest of my flock and most likely to adopt them, compared to the others who have actually killed chickens in there incompetence.. but she already has 2 she is raising that are fully feathered, and I think actually roosting now, but shes still taking care of them to a degree. will she still accept new chicks? I have 14 or so In the Bator some of which are 5 days apart, my hen lives with another young hen who has just started laying and isn't as accepting as my other, she might actually reject them and attack them so I'm not to confident about sharing some with her... will my small bantam hen be able to handle around 14 new chicks bantam and regular size, added at different times due to older eggs? what necessary steps do I have to take to ensure the best chance of her adopting them?

 

[sourland]

Hens generally bond with their chicks within a number of hours after hatching and then regard all others as 'strangers'. Some hens especially silkies are really accepting of fosters, but I doubt that your hen will accept the chicks. If her chicks are fully feathered, she is very likely thinking about weaning them. Start with a large box with a heat source, and work on constructing a brooder or move up to an even larger box.

 

[mill-j]

I've never used a real brooder, just get a cardboard box big enough to give them plenty of room and high enough so they don't hop out, put a layer of bedding(straw, or shredded paper) in the bottom . then grab a heat lamp and hang it above the box, you can control the heat by moving it up and down. If they're huddled together its likely a little cold and if they're sprawled out its just a little warm. just be careful heat lamps are hot! keep away from combustible materials.

 

[Maddison]

I'm really not keen on using a heat lamp, I've heard that they are a MAJOR fire hazard and even more so in Australia with summer approaching. Plus my room is filled with vauluables and flammable materials, I can't have them anywhere else as I have cats and my bedroom is the only place the cats aren't allowed. Is there any way I can brood them without a heat lamp? I plan on getting an Brinsea Ecoglow Chick Brooder but I don't have the money for that at the moment, I just need to get through this batch then I'll have enough money from selling them to brood future chicks properly.

 

[Chicken Chat]

I love my Ecoglow, but in place of that for low cost you could try a mama heating pad technique. See this post. https://www.backyardchickens.com/th...d-in-the-brooder-picture-heavy-update.956958/

 

[AlleysChicks]

I use a large storage tote as my brooder and it works fantastically! Easy to clean and mind has wheels on one end.

One thing I will recommend is a lid with a lot of ventilation. Even though your cats are not allowed somewhere, it doesn’t mean they won’t sneak in and kill your chicks. I had that happen several years ago.