How many can she handle? (Broody raising free range meat birds)

big brown horse

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miss_thenorth said:
I would do it and put in a heat lamp for back up. dont worry about it keeping ehr up, she'll be fine. It is sooooo much easier when a broody does it. i however, don't have any luck transplanting chicks under broody hens. nad my numbers are way off right now. I have 19 regular chicks and 30 meaties--only two broodies.
Ok, what would it hurt, right? I am almost positive that there won't be an acceptance issue. If the chicks seem distressed, I'll just pull some out and raise them myself or keep them warm at night and then give them back to her right before dawn. We'll play it by ear.

Ok, thanks so much everyone!!
 

Bubblingbrooks

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big brown horse said:
Ok, thank you.

I think the light will keep her up, so maybe it isn't a good idea. :/
I had a Cochin raise 50 meaties for me last year. They had two rubber maid tubs for "beds next to each other.
One had a lamp hanging right in front of it for all the extras that could not fit.
No problems with sleep that I could tell.
 

big brown horse

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Ok, thanks! Great info!

I ordered 25 meat birds yesterday @ $1.47 each chick, no shipping costs either b/c I ordered through my local country feed store. If she can handle these chicks, then next time I'll add some more. They will be here next Friday, I'm so excited, this is my first time to get meat birds.
:ya
Beekissed had a broody raise 20 meaties and told me that the chicks just rotate under mommy to stay warm, no bigs.
 

~gd

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big brown horse said:
My buff O. is broody again and I want to stick some day old meat bird chicks under her. How many do you think she can keep warm/take care of? :p (Please say 25! :lol: I don't want to raise/babysit the chicks if I don't have to. :p ) This sweet chicken has already hatched and raised 4 rouen ducklings...she is my incubator. :p
Don't do it unless you are willing to lose the eggs to get a chick sitter. She will most likely leave the eggs to care for the chicks (If it were me I would leave you too) the hatching is the hard part. If it is cool she can stuff a few under her wings and the chicks will put up with it rather then be out in the cold. Normally I would say you would be nuts to try it but it is mid July if she has a dry shelter she can go to I would try it!
 

big brown horse

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The only reason I have this buff O is to raise chicks. I hate raising chicks...is that weird? :lol: The constant cheeping drives me nuts! I have other egg layers, and boy howdy do I have eggs!! I can't give them away anymore! :p The eggs she is sitting on are not fertile, just decoys. This girl goes broody on air, eggs are optional. When she starts plucking her tummy feathers and clucking like she has imaginary chicks I know she is getting ready and weather there are eggs around or not, she starts setting. :p

I figured since we are in the warmer months it wouldn't be too risky.
 

BeccaOH

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I understand not wanting to raise chicks. I like them for their first week and then I hate bothering with them. :)

I did cage my broodies with babies. I don't have to worry about heat lamps, but I still have the food and water issues. Still broodies are better than not.
 

Bubblingbrooks

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big brown horse said:
Oh oh! What food and water issues? (Guess I'll be studying up this week over at BYC!)
just leave chick feed for them round the clock for the first 10-14 days if you feel better doing that, then restrict to 2-3 daily feedings after that.
Water at all times.

I fed ours as if they were her chicks. They slept all night from the beginning, and I think that would have been 6-8 hours.
They also had full pasture to dig around in.
Its an amazing thing to see those meaties behave like real chickens, scratching in the dirt, and eating greens all day long!
 

big brown horse

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Ok, thank you! :D I just read six pages on feeding etc. meat birds over at BYC. I think I got it now. Getting so excited!!!
 
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