Will a broody chicken mother day old chickens if I put them with her?

[turtleshell]

I have a broody Araucana. I am tossing whether to get fertile eggs or day old chicks. Will she mother the chicks? Thanks

 

[HEChicken]

Most likely, but put them under her at night while she's sleeping. When she wakes up, she'll think she was very clever to have hatched out the chicks and will proudly show them around to the other hens.

 

[GraceAK]

thats a good idea

I wish i had a broody to raise chicks for me.

As it is I have to raise them myself. Make sure she doesnt peck them!

Monitor her carefully, okay?

 

[steelersfan43]

aww, thats cute, I hope it works out for you. You'll have to post some pics with the new mama and her adoptive babies

 

[Mahonri]

Be certain to watch closely, some hens will not accept babies they didn't hatch out.

Has it been at least three weeks? They have an internal clock.

 

[OverEggstended]

Yeah... but how MANY chicks can/will she take on? I know she just has to show them how to eat (not actually feed them), but still. Will she take more than 5 or 6?

 

[Bleenie]

One of my cochin hens adopted a month old chick last year, she stayed with it until it was about 3 months old...perfect little momma

 

[turtleshell]

She's been broody for about a week and a half. Is this not long enough to put chicks with her?

I have a Barnvelder and Welsummer which I got at about 10 weeks and 5 weeks and the Welsummer took to the Barnvelder as her mama. They couldn't bare to be apart and the Barnvelder at such a young age still mothered the Welsummer. It is about 3 mths on and they still never leave each others side. I think though, my Welsummer which was supposed to be a pullet is turning into a Rooster. Rosie the rooster. I'm more worried about poor Henny Penny when I get rid of Rosie because they don't really socialise with the other chickens. They are happy in their own company.

 

[MIKE555444]

Most hens will take them if the new chicks are added at night HOWEVER I would do it when i can watch the next morning.

One hen I tried this with and she slaughterd 5 baby chicks before I seen that she was not happy with my plan.

Hopefully you can be there the next morning to see how she is doing with them.

Good Luck

 

[turtleshell]

Quote:
Thanks Mike