4.5 week old chicks with a silkie hen?

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HeatherTheMommy

HeatherTheMommy

Songster
May 14, 2015
802
23
109
Felton DE
I have 6 4.5 week old chicks that i want to add to my flock. I bought a small coop/run to put next to the main coop for them to live in until they are big enough to integrate into the flock with the big girls. My silkie hen is super broody right now so I have her in the chicks intended coop to keep her from the nesting boxes. During the day I'd like to put the chicks in their coop to stretch their legs but my silkie is in there. Could i put them all together or would that not work? My silkie is very small and docile
 
I am by no means an expert, but i would reccomend introducing them. You could maybe try turning off the heat lamp for the babies when the hens go to sleep, so they'll get a bit chilly. Then you can try to discreetly slip them under the hen- if they are chilly they will be more likely to cuddle. Then check to make sure the hens okay, and check again really early in the morning. If the hen does not take them, you can always just put them back in the brooder, but it shouldn't hurt to at least try. Are the chicks bantam? If so, that would probably be a tad easier for mama.
Hope this helps! :)
 
Don't try to put such old chicks under a broody. I know you weren't asking that.

I personally would remove the silkie before adding the chicks, she's probably agitated from being removed from her setting spot and might be aggressive towards the chicks. Otherwise you can try and see what she does with them while supervising.
 

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