Giving a mama of 6wk olds a new set of chicks?

[QChickieMama]

My broody mama, a buff orp, is raising her 6 chicks currently & they're getting big at 6 weeks old. I want one of my hens to raise more chicks before fall. What are the odds of this mama taking new chicks when her big ones are 6wks?

OR would I have better luck giving babies to a hen who has been a mama in the past but isn't currently broody?

 

[21hens-incharge]

It is highly unlikely she would accept new chicks.

She will have just weaned or be near weaning her current brood. Her hormones won't be in new chick mode.

 

[Saveria]

One of my hens released her 6 week old chicks and then promptly went broody again. That would be an instance where she would be likely to accept chicks again, as long as she sits for couple weeks.

 

[EggSighted4Life]

My broody mama, a buff orp, is raising her 6 chicks currently & they're getting big at 6 weeks old. I want one of my hens to raise more chicks before fall. What are the odds of this mama taking new chicks when her big ones are 6wks?

OR would I have better luck giving babies to a hen who has been a mama in the past but isn't currently broody?

Odds of either being successful are poor.. very poor. Highly likely to end in the death of some new chicks. Even the 6 week old chicks would try to eliminate the new comers if left in the same space.

Wait for one of them to become broody again. Or at least have a back up plan to intervene and be prepared to raise them yourself if need arises.