using broody hen as surrogate, what to expect day one

[spiceholler]

Yesterday evening, we stuffed two chicks under our broody hen and so far she seems to have accepted them.

We brought the chicks home earlier in the day and gave them a few hours under the heat lamp and they ate and drank a lot.

This morning, the hen is sitting happily on the chicks.

My question is when should I expect she might let them out from under her to eat and drink? In other words, how long can the chicks go without food/water if they are stuck under her and when if at all should I intervene? (I don't want to of course.)

 

[Chicalina]

Let the hen do her thing. If she has accepted them, and they her, all will be fine. I usually dip new chicks' beaks in the water container just to show them where and what it is. Nothing more.

I am assuming your chicks are no more than a couple of days old?

And did the hen sit on eggs for a while before you gave her the chicks?

 

[Mvan42]

Yep, mama knows best. I just gave my broody chicks yesterday. When I checked on them this morning a few were out wondering around close to mama some were under her. She was clucking away happily. She has only been broody for 5 days and took them in. She will bring thwm out and about when she feels they are ready.

 

[spiceholler]

Thanks for building my confidence! I guess I was a little impatient because these chicks are really cool (I named them Sid and Nancy), but luckily the chicks popped out pretty much right after I wrote the post! They are all happy and bopping in and out from under their new mom...all are doing well in their little hillbilly nursury!