2 min readfrom chickens

Please tell me everything about letting a broody chicken raise day old chicks

Our take

Letting a broody chicken raise day-old chicks can be a delightful experience, especially with a sweet hen like Lucy! As a first-time chicken owner, you’re right to consider her nurturing nature and the dynamics of your flock. With a cozy 9x18 foot run and a separate coop ready for Lucy, you’re well-prepared for this adventure. Moving her to the new section a few days before the chicks arrive is a smart strategy, allowing her to settle in and get comfortable. Sneaking the chicks under her at night is a classic trick that often works well. While integrating them with the other chickens may present challenges, remember that Lucy’s gentle demeanor will shine through as she guides her new feathered friends.

We got 6 chickens last year, it was my first time owning chickens. We have a favorite named Lucy, she is so sweet and good natured, she would let my at the time 3 year old daughter hold her and sing to her for hours. She is still our nicest chicken, though she is low on the pecking order.

They have a 9x18 foot run they stay in because we do have a lot of hawks in our neighborhood. I’ve added 12 more feet to the run with a door to separate it and we have 4 chicks ordered to arrive May 9th. Lucy has gone broody, she is our only chicken who has been broody and I would love to let her raise the chicks. I have a small coop separate from the main coop I can put in the new section of their run, I’m thinking about moving her to that area by herself a few days before the chicks will arrive and then sneaking them under her at night. I think because she’s low on the pecking order it will still be hard to integrate them with the other chickens in a few months, but it would have been anyway if we raised them in a brooder in the garage like we did with our chicks last year.

I would love any tips or info about doing this, and if more experienced people think that it’s a good idea.

submitted by /u/april203
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#chickens#fear of chickens#chicken breeds#chicken behavior#chicken myths#chicken anatomy#chicken eggs#broody#chicken#chicks#coop#pecking order#integration#run#raise#hawk#separate#garage brooder#tips#new section