Will broody accept chicks that aren't hers?

[Pennyfeather]

Hi, I'm after a bit of advice if any one can help! I have just hatched 2 chicks which are now in my
Brooder. Outside I have a broody who has just hatched 4 chicks of her own at the same time as the other 2 (so they are all the same age). Will she accept the ones that are in my brooder and let them live with her and her chicks, keeping them warm. All chicks are 3/4 days old. Or will she see them as a threat? Any advice gratefully received!

 

[Nicole01]

My broody ate live pipping chicks.

I had to take the rest of the eggs away and try to hatch them myself with a heating pad. It didn't go so well and I bought an incubator. I'll probably never use a broody again after what happened.

If she's not accepting the chicks, you'll have to raise them in the brooder.

 

[debid]

She might take them and I think it's worth a shot. I'd put them under her as soon as it gets dark tonight and then set the alarm for daybreak so you can be there to intervene in case she isn't pleased. As I understand it, the sooner the better and having them the same age helps but some hens get so motherly that they'll take just about any chick.

ETA: And Nicole01's story is incredibly sad but it's not the norm. A hen that's already mothering young chicks successfully is a very good candidate.

 

[Nicole01]

That was my first experience ever with a broody.

I was pretty upset and I gave away the broody hen shortly after.

 

[aoxa]

My broody ate live pipping chicks.
I had to take the rest of the eggs away and try to hatch them myself with a heating pad. It didn't go so well and I bought an incubator. I'll probably never use a broody again after what happened.
If she's not accepting the chicks, you'll have to raise them in the brooder.

Wow that sucks. Never had that happen. Almost all of my broodies are given extra chicks. Actually every broody I ever had was.

Only had one that would not make a good mother, and she is a RIR. She killed her baby and continued to sit on the dead chick. She wanted to sit on eggs, but not be a mother. I kicked her out. She won't be allowed to hatch again.

 

[debir1966]

My broodie Buff Orp and her adopted baby

 

[Nicole01]

My broody ate live pipping chicks.
I had to take the rest of the eggs away and try to hatch them myself with a heating pad. It didn't go so well and I bought an incubator. I'll probably never use a broody again after what happened.
If she's not accepting the chicks, you'll have to raise them in the brooder.

Wow that sucks. Never had that happen. Almost all of my broodies are given extra chicks. Actually every broody I ever had was.

Only had one that would not make a good mother, and she is a RIR. She killed her baby and continued to sit on the dead chick. She wanted to sit on eggs, but not be a mother. I kicked her out. She won't be allowed to hatch again.

I don't think I could go through that again. I knew the chicks pipped and I was so excited. She ate a couple chicks right before I walked in the coop. Once I walked in, there was a live chick she had in her mouth and flung it in the air. I startled her and the chick dropped on the floor. I picked him up and the last of the eggs. The chick had a big gash in his back, but he lived. I was able to hatch 2 more on a heating pad. I'll never use a broody after that. It broke my heart that she killed babies. She was a Cochin and I could not keep her. That's how upset I was.

I bought an incubator. I love raising chicks anyways and I don't mind integrating them. I have a great system to integrate newcomers.

 

[aoxa]

I don't think I could go through that again. I knew the chicks pipped and I was so excited. She ate a couple chicks right before I walked in the coop. Once I walked in, there was a live chick she had in her mouth and flung it in the air. I startled her and the chick dropped on the floor. I picked him up and the last of the eggs. The chick had a big gash in his back, but he lived. I was able to hatch 2 more on a heating pad. I'll never use a broody after that.
I bought an incubator. I love raising chicks anyways and I don't mind integrating them. I have a great system to integrate newcomers.

What breed is she?

There could have been something wrong with the chicks if she was eating them. I once had a pet mouse that ate all 12 of her babies.

Sometimes mother nature knows better than us.

Don't let her be a mother again, but don't let it deter you from letting another one go broody and be a mama.

 

[Nicole01]

She was a cochin. 3 of the babies lived. They were fine, except the one that was shrink wrapped which was my doing from lack of moisture. I rehomed the two that did well and kept the one that had issues(her growth was stunted from being shrink wrapped).

I gave the broody away and explained what happened. I couldn't keep her after she ate the chicks. That's how upset I was.

 

[Achickenwrangler#1]

Three days is pushing it alot..maybe she'll take them if she really wants to. Try putting one under her and if it stays, your good to try another...alot depends on the chick too...it could still work.. I never was a morning person so all my attempts were made in the evening...whatever you do, don't show her the new chick first. I've had broodies take orphans days older than her hatch, but gave them before three days. I've also had broodies take an injured chick back after being separated for five days....you don't know till you try.