I have a broody hen who has been sitting on eggs for 23 days. She left her next for one night about 10 days in. Nothing has hatched so I don't think they will at this point. Would she accept and raise some day olds if I put them under her?
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It's most likely she will but have a back up plan just in case she's one that likes to sit but doesn't want to be bothered looking after little ones. Pop them under her in the dark and use your hand to shield the chicks as you put them under her if she's likely to strike out. Before putting them under her you can let them peep for a moment and see if she responds with soft clucking. I've had a hen help me push them under her she was so pleased to have babies! When you've got them all under her wait a moment to make sure everyone is happy and none of the chicks wander off. Good luck!
I've never done this before, but I do have a question When a hen sits on eggs and they hatch into baby chicks, what do the chicks eat and how do they drink? I use nipple waterers. How do you'all handle naturally hatched chicks? I do have a broody hen and am excited to see if we get new babies, but I want to do it right.