Will a broody hen 'adopt' day old chicks?

[BeckyLa]

I've had the best luck with this scenario when I left mama in her nest, took the golf ball, then slipped a chick under her. Because she is still in her nest she thinks she hatched the baby and acceptance was not a problem. But when I moved her to a new place where the chicks were she would get all broody upset and attack the chicks. Just something to think about.

 

[BC_Kelly]

Over the years - with the large family of Old English (aka Jungle Fowl) living semi-wild on and around my property - have seen about every variation possible with Hens and Baby Chicks.

One interesting example:

A group of 3 sisters - couple of them laid eggs in same nest, one sets for the 21 days, right after hatching another takes and raises the babies, while 3rd plays additional surrogate mom.

But, here's one for the record books, forget a Hen adopting Babies ...

Had a Rooster do it.

After a mom with a group of 2 day old babies was killed by a hawk, I managed to corral those babies into the pen where Stubby the One Legged Rooster lived (Stubby is another story unto himself), and following a few minutes of curiosity, he allowed them to nest under him at night and he 'mother hen' raised them during the day (and rooster taking interest in helping a mom to feed babies is fairly common, somewhat similar to how a rooster entices a hen offering her food)

After a few weeks, about the time the orphans were getting too big for Stubby to easily manage - was another hen with a new clutch of her own who then took over from Stubby, and raised both groups.

Amazing isn't it ?

Seems so often all we have to do is stand clear - and Mother Nature has a way to work things out just fine almost every time.

Now, got pictures of Stubby with those babies, and - if it's ok to 'advertise' for these folks - sent the pics to Chicken Rescue group in Minnesota, who selected one to feature in their 2009 calendar.

You can go there to see those pictures, Google for "Chicken Run Rescue" (maybe buy a calendar too)

And, now that I've opened my mouth on all this - will also post on my website in next few days - http://bckelly.com/chickens

Thanks
BC Kelly
Tallahassee Fla

 

[ole-crone]

We had success with our silkie Biddie -
https://www.backyardchickens.com/forum/viewtopic.php?id=60992

 

[Sunny Side Up]

Some folks report the most success by slipping the chicks in at night. They've done that for both giving chicks to a broody hen setting on real/fake/bad eggs and to add chicks to a bunch already under a hen. The theory is that the Mama can't count and in the morning doesn't realize there are strangers in her nest.

But I think the success depends on the temperment of the hen. I've tried this with my hens and although they'll accept the chick at night, in the morning they notice the difference with the strangers and will peck at them to keep away. I don't know if they would eventually grow to accept them as their own, but I just cannot stand the pathetic squalling of the rejected chicks, and take them out to raise on their own.

I wish you & your hens & chicks more success than I've had!

 

[Msbear]

If it's the silver laced cochin, I'd bet money she'd grab up them babies in a heart beat. But a lot of other breeds will too. Try to do it when you can watch them for a bit.

I hatched a peep (long story) and my broody was outside with her three day old peep. I took the peep (only 6 hours old) and put it down on the grass ten ft. from momma (black rosecomb bantam) and they both ran to eachother clucking a peeping like crazy. Peep instinctively ran under her. It was so moving

Good Luck and Im so glad your giving it a try. Babies will learn so many things from momma and you won't have to clean a stinky brooder constantly.

 

[LoneCowboy]

I not had a problem. I have 3 broodies and I let them hatch a few eggs themselves and I hatched a bunch in the bator. Once their eggs hatched, I just slipped a bunch more chicks under them and they've all be fine with it.

 

[bearcat73]

So the hen should be broody when you try this? I gave it a shot with a non broody cochin and she wanted nothing to do with them and tried to peck one of them...so I quickly removed her.

 

[LoneCowboy]

Most non-broodies won't take them. I probably wouldn't try this with chickens that haven't been broody for a couple of weeks either.

 

[shelleyd2008]

I have added chicks to broodies both with and without success. Most of mine did just fine, but one hen didn't like the idea, she killed 2 of them, and the other 2 were stunned pretty badly.

The best way to do it is at night when the hen is sleeping, but I would definitely watch her closely and see how she does with them.

Best of luck

 

[nfitzgeraldRN]

Great thread. I was wondering about this being is so much easier for my broodys to raise chicks than doing it myself. I have two broodys right now, a silkie and a japanese black tail. They both started about a week ago. They are great mommas and want to have babies ALL the time. I think I am going to give this a go... I will keep you all updated!