Integrating few day old chicks to week old broody mommas?

[jus10inla]

Back again. First broody integration went ok between the two mommas, third added
Todayso far little drama as well.

Here is new question. Bought (4) pullets from TSC; appear to only be few days old.. probly wednseday left over batch.

Hen #1 has (3) 3 week old chicks
Hen #2 has (3) 2 week old chicks
Hen #3 has (5) 1 week old chicks

Hen 1 2 yr old production blue (australop x rir)
Hen 2 1.5 yr old welsummer ,
Hen 3 1 yr old cinamon queen

Hen 1 & 2 have hatched several clutches, hen 3 this is her first time

Currently the tsc babies are in seperate brooder. I’ve slipped babies under hen 1 & 2 within a week and they took them with there babies. But never hen 3.

Suggestions on possibly slipping under hens tonite ? Maybe 2 to each older better moms & check in morning? Or raise them separately?

There main run is 30x30, and each mom Stays to thereself. The other hens &’roos (around 15) leave them alone also.

 

[oldhenlikesdogs]

Depends on the hens. I've had hens take everything, and others try to kill everything that they didn't hatch. It's always a risk. Just depends on how much you want to risk.

 

[Chicalina]

I think the chicks are too old to be given to any hen besides hen #3. She might be duped after just a week, but the other hens won't be.

 

[jus10inla]

So hen #1 who is my best momma took them tonight. I had taken 3 from her last week to give to a friend. She started clucking when i put them in front of her. They tucked under her wing quickly. Will know more in AM


Hen 2 & 3 were total hellyan terrorist and pecked me like crazy when i bent down to show them the babies.

 

[jus10inla]

Business as usual. All chicks around each if there moms, then they all meet in the biddy feeder / waterer (dog crate only chicks can get in) and hang out together. The 4 turken chicks hang out close by biddy feeder but are exploring some. No mom or older hens are messing with them. The other chicks are not being bullys either.

 

[oldhenlikesdogs]

Good to hear it went well. I have a broody mom who took in two extra chicks a week after hers hatched like they were her own. I love those types of moms.