Should I pair a broody hen with a week old chick?

ZinggRanch

Hatching
Apr 20, 2016
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I have a very broody hen (3 months!) and a week old chick that is not able to thrive in the brooder. The chick had spraddle leg which we got straightened out and does not need any bracing anymore but the other ones tend to run her over and she just isn't thriving. I can put them in a small chicken tractor by themselves away from my other hens. Should I?
 
I have a very broody hen (3 months!) and a week old chick that is not able to thrive in the brooder. The chick had spraddle leg which we got straightened out and does not need any bracing anymore but the other ones tend to run her over and she just isn't thriving. I can put them in a small chicken tractor by themselves away from my other hens. Should I?

Give it a try. Put the chick under the hen at night in the dark. Check first thing in the morning. There are three possible outcomes-1. the chick doesn't accept the hen 2.-the hen doesn't accept the chick 3.-they fall instantly in love and live happily after. Quite often a hen that has been brooding a long time is happy to accept any chick. Good luck.
 
I sure appreciate this response. I am concerned the evening temp is still in the 40's here and if the broody hen should reject the chick, she would perish in the cold. That little chick has gone through enough in just a week! She is having bowel movements so some food must be digesting. Her crop is perhaps a tad smaller but still a solid consistency of perhaps play dough? Should I try some olive oil as I have read about? She is good with accepting the syringe.
 
I sure appreciate this response. I am concerned the evening temp is still in the 40's here and if the broody hen should reject the chick, she would perish in the cold. That little chick has gone through enough in just a week! She is having bowel movements so some food must be digesting. Her crop is perhaps a tad smaller but still a solid consistency of perhaps play dough? Should I try some olive oil as I have read about? She is good with accepting the syringe.

I am not sure on this and hesitate to give advice when I do not know. Perhaps another member will reply.
 

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