Help! Chicks with no hen that's broody!

[Naturegirl37658]

I've got some chicks that will be hatching out of my Little Giant 9200 incubator in a few more days and the hen I was planning on using stopped being broody! What provisions should I buy to prepare myself to be "mama" to 14 orphaned chicks. I've thought about buying a brooding plate and I've also heard people raise them with heating pads or heat lamps. What is everyone's opinion?

 

[PioneerChicks]

You will need:
-A heat lamp (or heat pad, but I have never used those)
-food and a feeder
-a waterer and water
-a brooder (a box will work)
-sawdust to go in the broader

Check out articles about raising chicks for more information.

 

[PioneerChicks]

Try this:
https://www.backyardchickens.com/articles/how-to-raise-chickens.47660/

 

[chrissynemetz]

If you're interested in using a mama heating pad, @Blooie has a really good article about using them

 

[Shadrach]

That was very inconvenient of your hen.
I know a man who used to carry a couple of orphaned chicks inside his shirt if he had to leave the house.
I think heat lamps are dangerous. I've never tried heat pads, or brooding plates, but from what I've read they are a lot safer.
It must be worth trying to see if your hen will adopt the chicks despite no signs of broodiness. I think it's unlikely but it does happen.

 

[chickens really]

A heat lamp and a Brooder area that they can get under heat and escape it too if they want. Feed and water in the cooler area and a heat bulb hung that keeps the Chicks happily peeping around without huddled or panting...