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8:50 am
August 20, 2008
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I've got a broody silkie in my hen house and eight chicks coming in the mail this week. I'm going to try to pull a switch on her.
She's in full brood mode, so the first night they get her I'm going to slip the eggs out and the chicks in. I've been told there's a good chance it will work.
Anyone else ever done this?
Quarter horses, Welsh ponies and Arabians
8:54 am
February 10, 2009
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Yep, it should work! Slip em in under her after dark and take away the eggs or she may try to keep sitting and ignore the chicks, not likely, but possible. She should calm down quickly. Use a very tiny flashlight, or a flashlight wrapped in a rag so you can see enough, but she can't.
1:22 pm
June 2, 2010
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I've done this 6 different times. I waited until she had been setting for about 20 days. I waited until it was completely dark and then made the switch. When I first took the eggs, she panicked but as soon as I slipped the peeps under her she calmed down immediately. The next morning I went to check and I had a very proud and protective mama. No one except me could get anywhere near those peeps.
I hardboiled two eggs and then mashed them up shells and all until they were completely pulverized. I took that out to mama who called the chicks to dinner. The eggs were soon gone. It was fun watching mama teach her babies everything they needed to know about becoming chickens.
6:49 pm
June 12, 2011
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I've had my silkie and turken cross hens adopt ducklings, chicks, and goslings, and it seemed to work just fine. I don't think you have to wait for the average brooding time before making the switch, though. The hen doesn't have a mental clock; she switches from 'incubator' to 'momma hen' when she hears the chicks. Good luck!
7:46 pm
August 20, 2008
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That's good to know, I was afraid she wouldn't have enough time. She is serious though, I thought I was going to have two broody, but one gave up.
Quarter horses, Welsh ponies and Arabians
10:25 am
August 20, 2008
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Chicks are here with 11 extras for body heat.
Since I wasn't expecting so many I put the 11 standards in the broodbox and slipped the banty babies under Little Mom. I know it wasn't evening but I kept her in a dark box, and she's in there now, happy with eight babies.
Hopefully we're good!
Quarter horses, Welsh ponies and Arabians
12:26 pm
February 10, 2009
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I think if they are in a warm part of the coop or in a brooder box where you could add an extra lamp for warmth, I might have tried putting them all in with the hen. Yes, they wouldn't have all fit under her, but she'd have looked after them anyway. Still, since the 11 were the ones you really wanted in the first place, maybe it's best to have them in the brooder.
12:27 pm
February 10, 2009
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Oh and we want PICTURES!!!!! 
12:54 pm
August 20, 2008
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Actually the 8 were the ones I wanted, the 11 were just packing peanuts. I moved everyone to the chicken house under lights but I might bring them back in tonight if it's going to get really cold.
My computer is down but dd is working on pics for me on hers right now.
Quarter horses, Welsh ponies and Arabians
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