Will Chickens Raise Their Own Chicks

[Chicken03]

If I got a rooster and one of my hens was sitting on the eggs, would most of them hatch? Once they did hatch, could I let the hen raise them or would I have to put them in a brood box? I know chicks need special food and a tiny waterer but other than that could I let the hen raise them?

 

[gritsar]

Lots of folks let their hens raise their own chicks. Chicks grow up with more chicken smarts thataway.

 

[al6517]

Of course it's natures way, I want that too but my hens are terrible brooders, no success yet.

AL

 

[catfish/okie]

I think if your rooster has been with your hens at least a couple of weeks then the eggs should be fertile. Not all hens go broody but the ones that do most of the time makes the best mothers the chicks can have. Just let one of nests gather a clutch of eggs and maybe one of your hens will set on them. Best to do this in the spring or fall. Then you can be like a dad to the chicks providing the things they need to grow and be healthy. To me this is the funnest thing about keeping chickens. If none of your golden comet hens will set then find you a buff orpington or a silky banty or if you can find one a game hen. Nothing beats a game hen for a mother hen.

 

[Judy]

Here are two good links on this. One is about mama hens raising chicks, and one is about how one person makes his hens go broody:

http://www.themodernhomestead.us/article/Broody-Hens-1.html

https://www.backyardchickens.com/forum/viewtopic.php?id=176282

There are several breeds that go broody readily (see my sig line.)