Mia Patel
A broody hen rejecting her chicks can be due to several reasons, such as the chicks not looking or sounding like her offspring, her maternal instincts not kicking in, or simply being a young and inexperienced mother. If a hen rejects her chicks, it is important to separate them to ensure the mother does not harm them. The rejected chicks can be cared for by humans or another bird can be encouraged to adopt them. It is also recommended to give the rejected chicks company by adding at least one other chick to their brood.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Reasons for rejection | The chicks are not her own, they don't look or sound like her offspring, they have something wrong with them, she is a new mother, she is a bad mother, she is too young, she has imprinted on a different object |
| What to do | Separate the chicks from the mother, give the rejected chick love and attention, get another bird to adopt the chicks, raise the chicks yourself, buy an incubator |
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What You'll Learn
Separate the chicks from the mother hen
If a hen rejects her chicks, it is important to separate them to ensure their safety. Here are some steps to take:
Create a Safe Space for the Chicks
Provide the chicks with a warm and comfortable area away from the mother hen. This could be a brooder, a box, or a crate. Ensure they have access to food and water, as they can go without for the first three days after hatching, but it is best to provide for them if they are separated from their mother.
Monitor the Chicks' Health
Keep a close eye on the rejected chicks, as they are more vulnerable without the protection of their mother. Check for any signs of distress or illness, and provide gentle human interaction if possible. Chickens derive comfort from gentle handling, but ensure your hands are clean to avoid any health risks.
Introduce Companionship
Chicks do best with company, so consider adding at least one other chick to keep the rejected chick company. This can provide comfort and help reduce any stress caused by the rejection. If introducing new chicks, ensure they are similar in age and size to avoid any bullying or competition for resources.
Prevent Further Rejection
If the mother hen has rejected her chicks due to behavioural issues or a lack of maternal instinct, it is important to prevent future brooding behaviour. This can be done by breaking her broodiness as soon as it occurs again. Remove her from the nesting area, and do not allow her access to eggs that she could adopt as her own.
Attempt Reintroduction Carefully
In some cases, it may be possible to reintroduce the rejected chicks to the mother hen. However, this should only be attempted if you are confident that the hen will not harm them. If you decide to try, do so gradually and under careful supervision. Observe the hen's behaviour closely, and be prepared to separate them again if any signs of aggression or rejection occur.
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Sneak the chicks under another broody hen
If your hen rejects her chicks, you may need to take care of the chicks yourself or try to get another bird to adopt them. If the chicks are young, you can try sneaking them under another broody hen and hope that she adopts and takes care of them.
Firstly, get the broody hen and her nest into a dog crate on the floor of the coop before the chicks arrive. This will give the new mother hen a safe place to concentrate on keeping them warm and fed without worrying about other chickens. After a few days, you can leave the crate door open so the new family can come and go as they please.
When sneaking the chicks under the new mother, pick up the chicks one at a time and show them to the hen. Let her see and hear each chick. Then, tuck the chicks gently under the hen one by one. You will know right away if she is going to take to them. If she is accepting, she will cluck excitedly and use her beak to push the chick further underneath her. She'll also spread her wings out and flatten her body to make room for the chicks. As you tuck each chick underneath, take away an egg.
Note that hens can adopt chicks that are not their own, but some hens will not raise chicks that don't look or sound like what their offspring should. If the hen rejects the chicks, you may have to take care of them yourself.
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Raise the chicks yourself
If a mother hen rejects her chicks, you will need to separate them from the mother, as there is a chance she might harm them if left alone. You will then need to step in and be a surrogate mother to the chicks. This will involve setting up an isolated and protected space with a heat source they can get away from, along with water and food.
To set up the brooder, you will need to ensure the feeder and water are low enough to the ground so that the chicks can reach them. You should also fasten them securely so that the mother hen doesn't knock them over when teaching the chicks how to eat and drink. If the chicks are very young, a heat lamp will be necessary to keep them warm.
If the rejected chicks are older and have been raised by the hen for a few days, you can try sneaking them under another broody hen, and she might adopt and take care of them. However, this is more likely to work with younger chicks. If the chicks are older, you may need to raise them separately and be their mama.
If you are raising the chicks yourself, you will need to teach them how to look for bugs and other things to eat in the yard. You will also need to integrate them into the flock yourself, which can be more challenging than when a hen does it, as the chicks have been 'born' into the flock when a hen raises them.
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Try to get another bird to adopt the chicks
If a hen rejects her chicks, you can try to get another bird to adopt them. This process is known as using a broody hen as a surrogate mother. It is important to ensure that the hen is broody before attempting this process. This means that she has been sitting devotedly on eggs for at least a couple of weeks. Some hens will readily adopt chicks at any time, but most hens, even experienced mothers, will have no interest in raising chicks unless they are already broody.
Once you have identified a broody hen, you should set up a private crate or nest box for her with fresh bedding and allow her to settle in for a few days before introducing the chicks. It is also important to have a brooder set up in case the chicks are rejected again. The brooder should be equipped with a heat lamp to keep the chicks warm and dry, as well as food and water.
When the chicks arrive, put them in the brooder to warm up, eat, and drink. That night, after dark, put two or three chicks under the surrogate hen. It is best to switch the chicks when the hen is groggy and doesn't realize what's going on. Remove any eggs she was sitting on and leave the rest of the chicks in the brooder. If the chicks come in different colors, it is recommended to pick a sample of colors to give to the hen, as some hens object if you add different-colored chicks later.
The next day, make sure there is food and water near the hen and her new chicks. The chicks will likely move between the brooder and the hen, snuggling with her and eating and drinking. The hen will probably stay on the nest this day. That night, put more chicks under the hen, either putting all the chicks out or leaving some in the brooder, depending on how many there are.
If you free-range your chickens, it is recommended to wait several days after putting in the last chicks before letting them out to range. This will help the chicks learn to stay near the hen.
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Give the rejected chick lots of love and attention
If a hen rejects her chicks, you will need to separate them from the mother hen, as she may harm the chicks if left alone with them. You can give the rejected chick lots of love and attention by providing it with a safe and comfortable environment. Here are some ways to do this:
Firstly, ensure the chick is in a warm and secure place. You can use a dog crate or a brooder to keep the chick safe and provide it with adequate warmth. It is important to monitor the chick's wellbeing closely, as they are vulnerable to predators and require frequent feeding. You can dedicate an old shirt to handling the chick, which can be washed frequently to maintain hygiene.
Secondly, provide the rejected chick with company. Chicks are social creatures, and the presence of other chicks or birds can help reduce stress and provide comfort. Consider introducing the rejected chick to other chicks, either from the same flock or from a different clutch, as this can facilitate integration and reduce the risk of rejection by the mother hen. It is important to ensure that the other chicks are healthy and clean, as sick birds can be more vulnerable to stress and rejection.
Additionally, you can try to encourage another hen to become broody and adopt the rejected chick. This can be done by sneaking the chick under another broody hen, preferably one that does not currently have her own clutch of eggs to sit on. If there are no other broody hens available, you may need to take on the role of surrogate mother yourself, providing around-the-clock care and attention to the rejected chick until it is strong and independent.
It is important to remember that each situation is unique, and the approach to giving love and attention to a rejected chick may vary depending on the specific circumstances and the chick's individual needs. By providing a safe environment, social interaction, and dedicated care, you can help ensure the rejected chick's wellbeing and improve its chances of survival.
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Frequently asked questions
If a hen rejects her chicks, you must first separate them, as there is a chance the mother may harm them. You can then try to get another bird to adopt them. If the chicks are young, you can sneak them under a broody hen, and she may adopt and take care of them.
There could be several reasons why a hen rejects her chicks. Some hens are simply bad mothers, especially younger hens or those brooding for the first time. Hens may also reject chicks that do not look or sound like their offspring, or if they are not left broody for long enough.
To prevent rejection, it is important to store eggs correctly so that all chicks hatch at once. Hens are instinctual creatures, and new chicks will "adopt" the first large moving thing they see after hatching. Therefore, it is important to ensure that the mother hen is the first thing they see.
A hen may reject her chicks by pecking or attacking them. She may also ignore them or try to chase them away.
If a hen rejects a single chick, you can try to raise the chick yourself. You can also try to introduce the chick to other chicks once the mother hen has joined the flock again.
