Using Broody Hen, then Removing Chicks?

[CutieChicken]

I have kind of an odd question, I guess.

I’m thinking about letting a broody hen hatch some serama eggs for me. My broodies are bantam Cochins and silkies. I have 4 bantam Cochins and 6 silkies (one of which is a rooster) who live in a large run together. The problem is that I don’t necessarily want the seramas to end up living with the bantam Cochins and silkies long term. I think the silkie rooster could spell disaster for the little serama hens if he tries to mate them.

So, is it possible/advisable to let a broody hen hatch the seramas, and then remove the chicks at some point to let them join my other flock of tinier bantams? Or would it be better to just get an incubator for the serama eggs? I’d rather put a broody hen to work, but I don’t want to make life overly complicated for everyone.

So, in short, can I use a broody hen to hatch chicks that I intend to eventually add to a different flock? And at what age could/should I remove them? (Would the bantam Cochins and silkies squish the little babies?)

 

[azygous]

If you presently have a broody hen, by all means give her the Serama eggs to incubate. She will not squash the eggs or the chicks after they hatch.

I would relax and allow the broody to raise the chicks until she weans them around four to seven weeks. Then you may move all the chicks to their new flock. However, be aware that you will need to provide safety measures for the chicks as they integrate into the new flock. I do it with a safe pen with chick-size openings I call a panic room.

It doesn't take but a few days to integrate chicks this way, and everyone ho's tried the method has found it safe and simple.

 

[aart]

It doesn't take but a few days to integrate chicks this way, and everyone who's tried the method has found it safe and simple.

Love this technique! Usually takes more than a few days tho, IMO.
https://www.backyardchickens.com/articles/integrating-new-birds-at-4-weeks-old.72603/

Probably best to wait for mama to wean chicks.

 

[CutieChicken]

Thanks!! This is really helpful! I love the idea of the divider with a chick-sized opening. I think I can adapt something like that for introduction into the other flock. I would really like to skip the incubator hassle and let broody hen do her thing

 

[Ursuline Chick]

Letting the broody do all the work, hatch and care for the chicks until she thinks they can be on their own, is truly the easiest way. IMHO The Mother Hen will teach the chicks all they need to know to be on their own and protect them until that time. Good luck

 

[chicken4prez]

My 1 year old EE hen hatched all my d’Uccles and they are squirtes and she was fine with them.

She didn’t kill any or hurt any.

 

[Ridgerunner]

I agree, using a broody hen is a great idea. It is entirely your decision as to when you take the chicks, right after they hatch or when she weans them or in between. There is no natural law that makes any one time better than another, it will not affect the chicks or the broody long term. In the short term you will have to deal with whatever is required, like maybe a brooder.

I'd give real serious consideration to putting the broody and her chicks in the tiny bantam flock after they hatch and remove her when she weans them. That way she can handle basic integration. The chicks will still have to deal with pecking order issues as they mature but at least basic integration would be handled.

 

[aart]

I'd give real serious consideration to putting the broody and her chicks in the tiny bantam flock after they hatch and remove her when she weans them. That way she can handle basic integration. The chicks will still have to deal with pecking order issues as they mature but at least basic integration would be handled.

Hmmm mightn't broody kick the bantams butts tho?

 

[Ridgerunner]

My broody hens will kick any chicken's butt that messes with her chicks. Size is not a factor. If those tiny bantams mess with her chicks she probably will, just like she would in that other pen. You are dealing with living animals so it is always possible she might go out of her way to beat up on another chicken. Anything is possible. I don't see that with my broodies unless they threaten her chicks. Part of that may depend on how big that bitty banty pen is too.

 

[aart]

Part of that may depend on how big that bitty banty pen is too.

Yep...and it is an integration....hard to say what would happen.