Mirrium
Chirping
- Mar 19, 2025
- 90
- 182
- 83
Hi all, so my as the title implies, a couple of my chicks seem to have gone broody.
For context:
I have 6 Buff Orpington chicks (all female) that will turn 6 weeks old on Wednesday, they are absolutely lovely and demanding cuddles which I am very much not opposed to.
However, about a week ago I was approached to care for 10 more freshly hatched chicks, 6 Barred Rocks and 4 Easter Eggers. Due to the sudden nature of this request I didn't have anywhere else to put them so I had to put them with my buffs. I kept a close eye for several days but there haven't really been any fights at all so I've decided to keep them together for the time being. Which is what's lead to the current situation.
There were several stressful events that have occurred in the past couple of days which had me worried (they've been given electrolytes to help prevent any negative side affects). Most seem indifferent and not really bothered but 2 of my buffs have decided that the stress means they must be mothers? Both Siracha and Pumpkin are now sitting on and protecting the week old chicks. There was 1 chick, Nugget, that I found cold and covered in fecal matter and on her back away from both groups but I washed her and warmed her up. She seemed to be doing far better after about 3hrs so I presented her to the 'new moms' and Siracha (who had 4 chicks, while Pumpkin had 5) immediately pulled her under.
It's been a few hours now and the broodiness isn't stopping and I keep getting told off every time I steal a littler chick to inspect it haha.
I've watched them run out from under their adoptive mother's to eat and then instead of going back under climbing on top of them. This somehow doesn't bother them at all, Pumpkin even slept through one of hers climbing onto her back. The second I grab one tho all eyes are on me and both of them get an attitude (no pecking thankfully, just chirping loudly at me and puffing up) until I return it to the mother it came from. I've also found that they can tell them apart somehow?
For example if I present one of Pumpkins chicks to Siracha she won't have any of it and gently nudges the chick away until the chick gets the hint and runs back to Pumpkin.
Has anyone had anything similar to this or might know what's going on? Personally I've never seen a pullet go broody before 20 weeks so this was a huge surprise for me lol. I've also never seen a hen go broody after being introduced to chicks, only going broody and then having chicks put under her once broodiness is confirmed. I'm not worried at all I just thought this early mothering quirk was interesting and wanted to share to see if anyone else might have experienced the same.
For context:
I have 6 Buff Orpington chicks (all female) that will turn 6 weeks old on Wednesday, they are absolutely lovely and demanding cuddles which I am very much not opposed to.
However, about a week ago I was approached to care for 10 more freshly hatched chicks, 6 Barred Rocks and 4 Easter Eggers. Due to the sudden nature of this request I didn't have anywhere else to put them so I had to put them with my buffs. I kept a close eye for several days but there haven't really been any fights at all so I've decided to keep them together for the time being. Which is what's lead to the current situation.
There were several stressful events that have occurred in the past couple of days which had me worried (they've been given electrolytes to help prevent any negative side affects). Most seem indifferent and not really bothered but 2 of my buffs have decided that the stress means they must be mothers? Both Siracha and Pumpkin are now sitting on and protecting the week old chicks. There was 1 chick, Nugget, that I found cold and covered in fecal matter and on her back away from both groups but I washed her and warmed her up. She seemed to be doing far better after about 3hrs so I presented her to the 'new moms' and Siracha (who had 4 chicks, while Pumpkin had 5) immediately pulled her under.
It's been a few hours now and the broodiness isn't stopping and I keep getting told off every time I steal a littler chick to inspect it haha.
I've watched them run out from under their adoptive mother's to eat and then instead of going back under climbing on top of them. This somehow doesn't bother them at all, Pumpkin even slept through one of hers climbing onto her back. The second I grab one tho all eyes are on me and both of them get an attitude (no pecking thankfully, just chirping loudly at me and puffing up) until I return it to the mother it came from. I've also found that they can tell them apart somehow?
For example if I present one of Pumpkins chicks to Siracha she won't have any of it and gently nudges the chick away until the chick gets the hint and runs back to Pumpkin.
Has anyone had anything similar to this or might know what's going on? Personally I've never seen a pullet go broody before 20 weeks so this was a huge surprise for me lol. I've also never seen a hen go broody after being introduced to chicks, only going broody and then having chicks put under her once broodiness is confirmed. I'm not worried at all I just thought this early mothering quirk was interesting and wanted to share to see if anyone else might have experienced the same.
