Letting Hen Raise Chicks

[Farmgirl1878]

So ya’ll answered a question of mine. I was planning on a separate mini coop and run for my broody hen to raise the babies. But a couple other things came up.

I wanted the momma to raise them. Seems more natural. But I also want them to not be scared of me or worse. Has anyone let momma raise them but also interact with them early on? Or is momma not all about that?

Then about roos. I understand it is usually a 50/50 thing cockerel to pullet ratio and most of the various techniques to try to predetermine by egg shape etc are wives tales. I worry about more roos. Is it easier for a younger roo to learn his place in the group than peer age roos? My guess is no

I interact (love on) my chickens everyday, so I’ve not had any problems. There are always some chickens who want to ore attention and some who are skittish or don’t want to be handled. Just get right in there with Momma and the chicklets and play with them, feed them out of your hand, pick them up, and let them jump on you. You’ll get pooped on, but hey, we’re wash and wear, right?

As far as the roos go, I’ve had nine or ten throughout the years and haven’t kept a single one past the first year. Not because they’re crazy or mean or scary, but because I don’t want one or need one. Mine all go to area farms and I’ve never had a problem giving one away. I’ve never tried to integrate an older roo, but the ones who are hatched into the flock are just like the pullets hatched into the group. They ind their way.

 

[Farmgirl1878]

My goal! Lol

To be out there for hours at a time. I can do so in the summer when work is low lol

I can’t do it in the summer - it’s too danged hot!

 

[UpstateChickenDaddy]

I interact (love on) my chickens everyday, so I’ve not had any problems. There are always some chickens who want to ore attention and some who are skittish or don’t want to be handled. Just get right in there with Momma and the chicklets and play with them, feed them out of your hand, pick them up, and let them jump on you. You’ll get pooped on, but hey, we’re wash and wear, right?

As far as the roos go, I’ve had nine or ten throughout the years and haven’t kept a single one past the first year. Not because they’re crazy or mean or scary, but because I don’t want one or need one. Mine all go to area farms and I’ve never had a problem giving one away. I’ve never tried to integrate an older roo, but the ones who are hatched into the flock are just like the pullets hatched into the group. They ind their way.

I hear that. I planned on one roo. I want primarily BOs so I purchased a BO roo. Alas an Australorp roo was tossed in as a bonus. After a couple bloody scraps I had to adopt him out but I had oodles of takers almost immediately. Farm country too.

Good to know you can interact with the little guys even with mama around! I have done so with my purchased babies but I was uncertain about mama.

I should not be surprised because they are so ridiculously smart (unrelated note) they now associate hearing the garage door open with me bringing food. Even if it is the garage door where we park (other side of the house). Charles starts crowing when he hears the door and after I leave. He finally is making the “good food here” sound and letting the hens eat first. Was wondering when the lad would develop his table manners.

 

[Farmgirl1878]

I hear that. I planned on one roo. I want primarily BOs so I purchased a BO roo. Alas an Australorp roo was tossed in as a bonus. After a couple bloody scraps I had to adopt him out but I had oodles of takers almost immediately. Farm country too.

Good to know you can interact with the little guys even with mama around! I have done so with my purchased babies but I was uncertain about mama.

I should not be surprised because they are so ridiculously smart (unrelated note) they now associate hearing the garage door open with me bringing food. Even if it is the garage door where we park (other side of the house). Charles starts crowing when he hears the door and after I leave. He finally is making the “good food here” sound and letting the hens eat first. Was wondering when the lad would develop his table manners.

They definitely associate sounds with chow or treats. They hear the basement door open and know that hubs or I are coming out, they hear me holler, “in the coop!” and come running from the woods to get treats, they know exactly what time the automatic door opens in the morning…. They’re pretty smart little dinosaurs.

 

[redinator]

Lol, I spend so much time with my girls that the chicks usually are running right up to me! They’d rather climb on me than on Momma…


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Even when they grow up!

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I’m fortunate enough to be retired, so I can hang out with my feathered friends for hours at a time. And I do.

So friggin' cute! I have one of 5 that just loves to he handled. She will climb on my lap and trill her little heart out. Another chick made the mistake of thinking he/she could join her and got a firm telling off. She is the smallest, bravest, sweetest and feistiest of the bunch.

 

[JenniMcChick]

Pretty much same situation here: BO girl who's gone broody. One of 6 chicks I got in April & raised indoors in brooder last year. Wasn't sure she'd stick with it, but not only has she been SUPER committed to this, but she's been the nicest broody I've ever been around. So I decided to let her brood & get her some chicks. Figured it would save me the work of raising & integrating them myself & also reward all her determination.
Well, little did I know finding day-3 day old chicks in breeds I actually wanted would be SO difficult this year! So she's been sitting almost 3 full weeks, but I FINALLY found her some yesterday afternoon while I was out-of-town!
Had to improvise a way to transport & keep them warm for 45 mins since had no idea I'd be bringing babies home w/me. But they ARE home & after making sure they ate & drank water first, we began to introduce them to their new Mama about 30 mins after arrival since it was already dark.
We let her hear them chirping for a bit first & then placed one chick underneath her & removed the wooden eggs.
She seemed surprised when detecting motion underneath her & did peck at it a couple times but did not seem to be trying to harm it & did position herself so chick could crawl underneath her.
Let them be for a bit before reassesing & then adding the 2nd chick. She took it underneath her right away.
After about 20 mins added the other 3.
All 5 chicks & Momma happily bonding in the "Brooding Bungalow" all day today. Chicks active, eating & drinking. Lots of clucking, chirping & trilling going on.
& Honey (new Mama) has been great with our "intrusions" (moving & refilling feeder & waterer) & letting us handle chicks. So far so good!
& yes, I'm already in love with this new babies!

 

[BDutch]

I would let her hatch eggs but we can't own roosters where I live so I would have to get day-old sexed chicks.

Buy fertilised eggs if she goes broody again. Chances of rejection are higher with bought chicks than by hatching (from what others say/ no personal experience).
Pro:Less chance of weakened chickens bc of traveling.
Con: You get a random mix of male and female. So if you want two pullets, its wise to buy at least 6 eggs.

People who sell chickens often sell hatchery eggs too if you ask for them. Best pick them up not far from where you live and pick the eggs up by car, avoid bumpy roads. Mark them and let the eggs rest for 24 hours before you change the fakes for real.

@DobieLover wrote an article on this very subject.

 

[redinator]

I have a flock of six chickens that I got last spring, so they'll be a year old in March. We're thinking of getting a couple more chicks (maybe 2) in a few months and letting my buff orpington raise them. She's gone broody pretty frequently since she started laying eggs around Aug/Sept, and I hear the breed makes good mothers (she's also pretty high in the pecking order of our flock, so I doubt any of our other hens will try messing with the babies). I would let her hatch eggs but we can't own roosters where I live so I would have to get day-old sexed chicks.

I just wanted to come on here and ask for any tips for letting her raise them, since we definitely don't want to go through the whole brooder-in-the-house thing again, and she seems like she would be a good mom. I'm a little worried about her not accepting them since we'd get them at a few days old, so any tips on that would be greatly appreciated. Thanks in advance!

Does anyone near you have fertilized eggs for sale? I'm thinking of this as an option since I can't have roosters either.

 

[BDutch]

Does anyone near you have fertilized eggs for sale? I'm thinking of this as an option since I can't have roosters either.

Maybe some else will reply bc when I
checked TS activities it became clear cheitz20 hasn’t been around for several weeks now.

cheitz20​

Chirping · From Connecticut
Joined Apr 3, 2024
Last seen Feb 5, 2025

Best way to get an answer on your question is to start a new thread. Maybe add your state/nearest town in the title.

 

[redinator]

Maybe some else will reply bc when I
checked TS activities it became clear cheitz20 hasn’t been around for several weeks now.

cheitz20​

Chirping · From Connecticut
Joined Apr 3, 2024
Last seen Feb 5, 2025

Best way to get an answer on your question is to start a new thread. Maybe add your state/nearest town in the title.

I tend do that when I'm reading older post on topics I'm researching. I forget it's an old post and end up commenting on it. Thanks.