will a non-broody hen look after chicks?

[Cluckatar]

So I've been waiting and watching this spring in hopes that one of our hens will go broody. So far no luck. My newbie question then... is it possible to get one of the hens to look after babies by tucking them in with her at night, or is that a lost cause? I suppose we could raise them indoors again, but I'd really like them to have a hen to learn from. Also, if I get chicks from a local breeder do I then need to quarantine them from my flock even as young chicks? Too many questions

 

[yotetrapper]

No, a non broody hen wont raise baby chicks for you, and you should quarantine even baby chicks, as if they have something like coccidiosis they will infect your whole flock.

 

[vfem]

No... a non-broody hen with go straight into pecking order mode and will try to destroy or position the chick to be in the lowest position available in the coop. Due to size issues this most likely will end in killing in the chicks.

A broody who has been sitting (a length close to or equal to 21 days) will accept chicks as their own. It is best to introduce them after dark so they have a full night to know there has been a change.

 

[Cluckatar]

Hmm, how likely am I to get a broody hen this year? All of our girls have just turned one. They are Welsummers, Turken and EEs, no rooster. If it's very likely I might just wait it out and buy hatching eggs, but if it's hit or miss it would make more sense to get chicks now and start in hand raising them. Thanks for the suggestions!

 

[Momo]

If you really want a broody, and you're set up to quarrantine, you could get a couple of bantam hens or orps... maybe if you put an ad on Craigslist or in the local paper you could get a girl (or two) who's past her prime egg laying years but likes to brood and can raise babies for you for years to come.