One of our hens hatched out 10 chicks A couple of days ago. They all leaped from the nest box safely but one, who was pretty weak when I found "her" and I have had her in the house since. I've had chickens for many years but I've never tried to put a chick back under a hen before. Do you think it would work if I stuck her under the hen after it was dark?

-- Peg (jnjohnsn@pressenter.com), April 15, 2000

Answers

I've done it before with no problems. The other chicks keep her so busy, it wasn't a problem to take care of 1 more. In fact, we did it during the day when all the other chicks were running around. We just let it go with the others and it followed them

-- Pat (pmikul@pcpros.net), April 15, 2000.

My neighbor routinely buys extra chicks if her hens haven't hatched enough replacements and slips them under the hen after dark. Since the hen isn't brooding eggs, she can tend more chicks than she could warm eggs. Good luck.

-- marilyn (rainbow@ktis.net), April 15, 2000.

Thank you both! I just got back from putting the chick under ( or at least next to) the hen. It took a couple of tries but it seemed to have worked just fine, daylight and all. I'll go back in an hour or so to see if all are doing o.k. Thanks again.

-- Peg (jnjohnsn@pressenter.com), April 15, 2000.

Betcha' a nickle it'll worki! If it doesn't, there is likely a serious problem with the odd chick! GL!

-- Brad (homefixer@mix-net.net), April 15, 2000.

Brad, you win a nickel! The only problem is with me. I never should have let her sit on those eggs four feet off the ground in the nest box. I wish I had been there to see those little fuzz balls leaping to freedom. The one that was left was still in the box and just cold. After water, food and warmth she perked right up. I lose track of time. I thought she had at least a week to go. I then moved the hen that was in the box next to her down and she also had two hatched chicks,plus one on it's way out and another peeping in the shell. It's too early here and cold, but they seem to be doing just fine. Thanks everybody. I sure appreciate the help.

-- Peg (jnjohnsn@pressenter.com), April 15, 2000.

You don't know how many times that I have pulled this off. I have even put baby turkey's under hens and they took them. He He, it is great what a hen will do. They are supermoms!

-- (SHOOTING4FUN@VALLNET.COM), July 14, 2001.