Can I add just hatched chicks to broody hen

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sueg6255

sueg6255

Songster
11 Years
Apr 9, 2008
339
0
139
LaGrange County
I have a hen that just hatched three eggs down our basement. I have some that hatched at the same time from an incubator. Can I put a few of the incubator chicks in with the new mommy?
 
I wouldn't, especially if they are already hatched. I would worry too much about the chicks health. Sometimes you can add day-old chicks to a broody hen in the night, but I don't think that applies to this situation.

If you decide to try, there are threads talking about adding day-old chicks to broodies on this page. I would follow those guidlines and watch her carefully.

-Kim
 
As long as the new chicks are less than a couple days old and the ones she has are about the same age, it shouldn't be a problem.

I have done this a couple times with different hens and I know of others that do it all the time.

To be safe, watch the hen. If she starts pecking the new ones, then simply remove them.

Matt
 
If your hen is a good mom she will accept any babies right now especially if they just hatched. I have a hen that will take orphan babies that are 2 or 3 days old at times and mix with her babies that she has hatched. Usually if they are older than that they will peck the babies to make them go away from their brood. Somehow they "recognize " who is what. I always try and place them at night under her in the nest box so when she wakes up all of her kids are there !! She is a 1/2 Japanese Bantam and Buff Cochin cross.
 
If she's a good mum then she'll probably accept the chicks seeing as they're such a similar age...keep a close eye on them to make sure everything is okay. Good luck if you decide to give it a go
smile.png
 
Pebbles adopted week old chicks once, and Paka adopted some ducklings that were 2 weeks older then her own babies. It all depends on the mamma.

Let us know how it goes!

Shannon
 
Just wanted to let everyone know that she took to the other chick just fine. I moved her to a bigger cage with new bedding . She satarted digging around when I got the other chicks in there with her. Put the new chick in with her she looked at the new one and just went on with what she was doing. It has been about 6 hours now and they are doing just fine. She is one good mommy. Thanks again for all of your input.
 

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