Will my American Game bantam adopt my new chicks?

[dianneS]

I have an American game banty hen that has seven older chicks. I just got four three week old OEGB chicks. Do you think the hen will adopt them? So far she seems interested in them, but hasn't taken over the care of them. I tried putting them in the nest with her and the bigger kids and the OE babies left her nest on their own. Any way I can encourage her to take care of them?

 

[MidnightChickenLover]

I'm amazed that a game bantam actually raised her own eggs. I have heard they aren't the broody type. From what it seems, the chicks are a little to old for you to "trick her" into taking care of them.

 

[dianneS]

This banty may be a cross breed, but she looks just like and American game. She hid herself in the hayloft and hatched 10 eggs without us knowing it for some time, she's been a great mom, very protective and even killed a little skunk that got near her kids! I don't think she's going to adopt the new chicks though. I wish she would, even though they are older, they are just so tiny!

 

[pdsavage]

i gave my niece 2 game hens one snuck off and hatched some chicks and is doing a great job...i bought a mean game hen who had chicks that where half grown and she was still taking care of em...

 

[dianneS]

Actually my game hens chicks are half-grown too and she's still taking care of them. I don't know when she's ever going to let them go! They want to be independent but she just keeps mothering them. She still makes them sleep in the nest with her at night even though they are as big as she is!