Fluffy fury and a New Mum?

About a week ago, Dandy (Dandylion) was showing signs of broodiness. She lodged herself in the bottom nesting box and looked as though she had committed herself to the process. The other chickens were tolerated in her nesting box only if they left her another egg to sit on. If she got off the nest, which was very rare, it was a different story. Running low to the ground everyone's ankles were in danger. At one point she was seen attempting a common chicken wrestling technique. Running alongside a large Minorca and leaping up, Dandy grabbed her large comb and tried to bring that chicken down. Unfortunately strength and agility were on Mackles the Minorca's side and Dandy gave up and went back to her nest.

Rarely did I see her leave the nest to eat or drink, so there started to be a concern about her welfare. There were a few options: a. Let things continue but because there are no fertile eggs Dandy's condition may deteriorate b. Purchase some fertile eggs- but that may mean Dandy is sitting for up to another four weeks c. Find some day old chicks and take a chance she'll accept them d. Try and break the broody behaviour using the chicken tractor.

Choosing D. I placed barriers in the nesting box and took away any eggs almost instantly but she would find a way around them or happily sit on a cold plastic tray or colander and keep that warm too. This wasn't working so into the chookie tractor she went. She was not happy and ran back and forth looking for a way to get back to her nest. I relented after 48 hours (softie!)

Choosing C. A rare occurrence, a local had hatched out a batch of chicks including a breed I've been after ever since I had to rehome some as a teenager. An Araucana. One cold evening I picked out a lavender chick and took the precious ball of fluff home wrapped up warmly in a towel. In the dark with a torch, broody and cage were set up and chick was slipped under mum. Would she accept the chick? Would she kill the chick? Would I have to commit to running the heat lamp 24/7?