The reason people recommend placing chicks under a hen during the night is because she will be more apt to accept them as HERS when she wakes up in the morning and BAM--eggs gone, chicks in their place! Of course, make sure she has eggs to sit on before the chicks arrive and make the switch as smoothly as possible, with as much darkness as possible.

Trying it during the day, in my experience, results in the hen freaking out and trying to get AWAY from what she presumes are some OTHER hens' chicks--she expects their real mama to come along and clean her clock. I'd have a brooder box standing by and ready to go just in case she doesn't accept the chicks.

It's normal for broody hens to only come off the nest for a few minutes each day to eat, drink, poop and maybe dustbathe. Unless you are standing there watching her the entire day, chances are you won't see it.

Also, to answer your other question, give the chicks something with traction for bedding/to run on. Pine shavings, straw, dirt--it's all good. Avoid slick surfaces like newspaper, which can cause the chicks' legs to splay when they cannot grip it with their feet.

Good luck with your chicks, cochins make great moms. :)

Velvet ~:>

Hi Velvet
Thank you for your excellent advice. It has been a couple of years since I have been around, but I can remember you always having good advice. I had not thought of her freaking out thinking they belonged to someone else. They will go under her tonight. The bedding on the floor of the coop is fallen leaves from last fall. After some reading, I got 2 cochins for moms 3 1/2 years ago. Lost 1 to a canine slaughter of a bunch of the birds. With the other 2 hens also 3 1/2 I figured it was time to give them some help. I have a Delaware and a black sex-link. I wanted a golden, but not available for 6 weeks or more. I think that would be late, but also for sure she would not be broody then. So