Will our broody adopt day-old chicks?

[aart]

We'll most likely be getting 3 chicks, so we'll be choosing three different breeds.

Are you going to order day old chicks....they need to be very young for mama to accept them....might be hard to find what you want to match what she needs.

 

[mountainchickens]

Are you going to order day old chicks....they need to be very young for mama to accept them....might be hard to find what you want to match what she needs.

I think we're going to get them from Murdoch's. Last time we went the youngest they had was 5 days, so we'll call them up and see if they have any 1, 2 or 3-day-olds. If they do, we'll just choose from the breeds they have available I suppose, or one breed. If they don't, might mail order some day-olds

 

[mountainchickens]

We did it!
Our girl now has three little Speckled Sussex chicks under her (4 days old.) They were tired from a 1.5 hr car ride and snuggled under her wings instantly. So far she seems to be accepting them, letting them lie under her, chirping softly, not pecking or anything, but we're checking a lot. Her coop is dark and no others are allowed in yet.
So, she seems to like them!! The flock is on starter now, with free-choice oyster grit. There are chick founts and feeders in the coop for the little ones.
One question, though... Will she guide the chicks to food and water? They haven't had it since this morning because the person we got them from drove out an hour or so to meet us and we drove an hour or so to bring them home. Will they be alright? Will she show them, so they won't starve? There's a feeder full of chick feed - a mix of one huge non-medicated bag of starter, a large medicated one, a small bag of medicated, and a little grit.
Thank you for all the help!! Going out to check on her again now!!

 

[aart]

Did you remove the eggs that were under her?

 

[mountainchickens]

Did you remove the eggs that were under her?

Yes. Removed the eggs, tucked in the chicks.

 

[Trux]

 

[mountainchickens]

She left the nest briefly to eat and drink. Within a few minutes she was back in... but the chicks weren't under her. They were at the back of the nest, and she didn't tuck them or anything. She doesn't really seem to register they're there, but she puffs up and clucks at us whenever we try to reach in. Later tonight we might take them out to give them food and water, then try putting them in with her and see if she realizes they're there during the night... They're all totally exhausted, so they're fast asleep and we tucked them under her wing. But she hasn't acknowledged their presence...

 

[aart]

She left the nest briefly to eat and drink. Within a few minutes she was back in... but the chicks weren't under her. They were at the back of the nest, and she didn't tuck them or anything. She doesn't really seem to register they're there, but she puffs up and clucks at us whenever we try to reach in. Later tonight we might take them out to give them food and water, then try putting them in with her and see if she realizes they're there during the night... They're all totally exhausted, so they're fast asleep and we tucked them under her wing. But she hasn't acknowledged their presence...

Might want to get them to at least drink before dark.
Take them out one at time and dip their beaks

 

[mountainchickens]

Might want to get them to at least drink before dark.
Take them out one at time and dip their beaks

Ok, thanks! Mom wasn't accepting them. Ignoring them, etc. Our coop does have a plexiglass window so we are going to try again after dark. For now they are in a makeshift brooder on our back deck, under the heat lamp. They've been eating and drinking and seem happy, so that's good. Will try again just after dark.

 

[mountainchickens]

Does anybody know how long they can go without food and water at this age (approx. 4-5 days)? Just asking because they might be without it tomorrow, if our broody doesn't let them at it. We will remove them and fashion a brooder if she doesn't accept them.