Will my broody hen be more likely to accept new poults if I dye them the same color as her chicks?

[littlemamabear]

Hi, I have a broody silkie named peewee, she is a first time mother to a dozen 1 week old chicks, all black in color. 10 of the chicks hatched in the incubator but she was more than happy to take them in and is doing great as a mommy. While at the feed store I saw some 3 day old turkey poults that were just too cute to pass up, one is yellow and the other is white and dark brown. They are the same size as the chicks and when I gave them to peewee they took right to her, trying to warm under her, but she started growling and attacking them. I brought them in the house with 3 of the chicks to keep them company but I really want peewee to mother them, I hate brooding birds in the house and one of them is very noisy and peeps all **** night long.
I am going to try dyeing them black with some food coloring tonight if I can find it at the store, and them try to sneak the poults and chicks back under her tonight. Has anyone ever tried this, or heard of it being done? Any insight or other factors I may be missing? Any other suggestions to get my broody to take them or tips for reintroducing them?

 

[animallover505]

I doubt it would help, you could try though.

 

[littlemamabear]

Any tips for reintroducing previously rejected babies?

 

[animallover505]

maybe you could take the mother away for a few minutes, add the new chicks, then add her back. If that doesn't work, it probably wouldn't hurt to dye them.

 

[littlemamabear]

FYI : food coloring does not take to feathers. I gave Peewee the poults and chicks at dusk, followed by a handfull of earthworms I dug up for her (her favorite treat) She knows they aren't her babies, but she seems more like she will tolerate them now, she is pecking them but not all the time and not very hard. Does this sound promising? Has anyone has success reintroducing rejected babies?

 

[qldchook]

Hi, I have a broody silkie named peewee, she is a first time mother to a dozen 1 week old chicks, all black in color. 10 of the chicks hatched in the incubator but she was more than happy to take them in and is doing great as a mommy. While at the feed store I saw some 3 day old turkey poults that were just too cute to pass up, one is yellow and the other is white and dark brown. They are the same size as the chicks and when I gave them to peewee they took right to her, trying to warm under her, but she started growling and attacking them. I brought them in the house with 3 of the chicks to keep them company but I really want peewee to mother them, I hate brooding birds in the house and one of them is very noisy and peeps all **** night long.
I am going to try dyeing them black with some food coloring tonight if I can find it at the store, and them try to sneak the poults and chicks back under her tonight. Has anyone ever tried this, or heard of it being done? Any insight or other factors I may be missing? Any other suggestions to get my broody to take them or tips for reintroducing them?

My Gosh, she is already looking after 12 & you want to add more! Not really fair. Just raise the 2 turkeys together they will be fine.

 

[dainerra]

it will be no time at all until those poults are bigger than your silkie or at least too big to fit under her. Especially since you already have 12 under her. Just because she isn't attacking them right now doesn't mean that she will let them sleep with her brood or in any way take care of them.

I'd just pull the 2 turkeys and brood them inside.

 

[donrae]

it will be no time at all until those poults are bigger than your silkie or at least too big to fit under her. Especially since you already have 12 under her. Just because she isn't attacking them right now doesn't mean that she will let them sleep with her brood or in any way take care of them.

I'd just pull the 2 turkeys and brood them inside.

This. She could maybe have brooded only the 2-3 turkeys for a few weeks, but are you willing to risk her other babies getting squished or too cold cause there isn't room under her for everyone?