Has anyone ever switched out chicks under a hen?

renk777 · May 19, 2022

I placed 2+ week old chicks under a broody hen on Tues. I knew the chances of her accepting them and them imprinting on her were pretty much 0. But I tried anyway with a brooder set up in basement as back-up. And it worked. Mama and babies act as though she hatched them out herself. Unfortunately, I suspect 2 are cockerels. Seller is fine with me exchanging roos for (hopefully) pullets buy I'm worried Mama will notice that the replacements aren't 'hers'. Anyone have experience with this? I need to decide by tomorrow :/ Pic of mama on babies <3

My Bagurks · May 19, 2022

By the time you can be 100% sure on sex, it may be too late to pull a switcheroo. I’m glad she took them in, but one of my broodies rejected chicks that were 3 days old before. But another adopted a few day old chick as well though. It’s a bit of a toss up.

Your hen accepted 2 week old chicks so that’s a good sign. Maybe she’s the adopting type. Unfortunately you won’t know until you try. What is the statute of limitations the seller is offering? If you can’t have cockerels, then I would focus on trying to sex them now. Get some pictures and I’m sure someone on her can help you sex them. Hopefully.

The sooner you know and do any baby switching, the better. And keep the brooder ready. Good luck.

renk777 · May 19, 2022

Seller is a local feed store and these were some of the last chicks of the season. If I wait too long, I fear none will be left...and potential for mom to reject replacements increases. They've already reduced pricing to move them out. Technically, we can't have chickens and we already have 3 roos. I can't have more roos. We only have so much space and the roo/hen ratio is already at the low end. I'm tempted to try the switch but so grateful she took to these babies and don't want to ruin everything.

My Bagurks · May 19, 2022

It’s a tight spot to be in. I’d have a magnifying glass in there trying to figure out the sex. I’d also talk to the feed store and see if they would ask anyone buying the chickens if they’d be willing to take roosters. It might be a long shot but it’s possible. What breed are they?

renk777 · May 19, 2022

My Bagurks said:
It’s a tight spot to be in. I’d have a magnifying glass in there trying to figure out the sex. I’d also talk to the feed store and see if they would ask anyone buying the chickens if they’d be willing to take roosters. It might be a long shot but it’s possible. What breed are they?

2 are Barred Rocks. They were sold as sexed pullets but I'm certain one is a roo. Gray down with dark stripes and barely any wash on legs. Larger than bin-mate and tail is typical roo-poof. The other 4 are EEs. One is very aggressive and has grabbed mama's face and tried to drag her. I've only seen young cockerels do that when establishing a hierarchy. He's larger than the others and though comb is nowhere close to developed, area is wide and tiny pea dots appear to be in three rows. I'm usually pretty accurate guessing sex... even when birds don't follow the rules. My gut says these 2 are boys. The other BR is def a pullet and the other EEs I'm assuming are pullets. No red flags just yet

renk777 · May 19, 2022

Here are the 2 BRs...the one in my hand is the suspected roo. The one in my daughter's hand is the pullet.

renk777 · May 19, 2022

Not the best photo...I was alone...but this is suspected EE cockerel.

Has anyone ever switched out chicks under a hen?

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