Added 2 chicks to mama Hen last night

[and1223]

I have a Buff Orpington mama hen who has five chicks 2 weeks old. Last night I sneaked in 2 more chicks under her. They are Dampierres same age as her chicks. This morning I opened the dog crate door and all 5 chicks come running out to feed. The two new ones stayed inside.
Will they eventually catch on how to eat and drink like the others? They were not responding to mama hen calling for food.

 

[SacredWaves]

Try dipping their beaks into the water. Not too far, of course. Move them to the food. They will catch on I believe. Just watch them closely for a bit. I am not an expert, just my thoughts. Best of luck, and keep us updated?

 

[Yep I Talk To Chickens]

Try dipping their beaks into the water. Not too far, of course. Move them to the food. They will catch on I believe. Just watch them closely for a bit. I am not an expert, just my thoughts. Best of luck, and keep us updated?

I agree.

 

[NatJ]

I have a Buff Orpington mama hen who has five chicks 2 weeks old. Last night I sneaked in 2 more chicks under her. They are Dampierres same age as her chicks. This morning I opened the dog crate door and all 5 chicks come running out to feed. The two new ones stayed inside.
Will they eventually catch on how to eat and drink like the others? They were not responding to mama hen calling for food.

With the chicks already being two weeks old, I do not know if they will respond to the hen or not. Have you watched to be sure she's not attacking them? If they look different than her current chicks, she might.

If the hen is willing to accept the chicks, but they won't follow her, I would try keeping the hen and all chicks in a relatively small area for a few days. That will keep the new ones from getting left behind or wandering off, and they can hopefully get used to being part of this "family."

 

[and1223]

With the chicks already being two weeks old, I do not know if they will respond to the hen or not. Have you watched to be sure she's not attacking them? If they look different than her current chicks, she might.

If the hen is willing to accept the chicks, but they won't follow her, I would try keeping the hen and all chicks in a relatively small area for a few days. That will keep the new ones from getting left behind or wandering off, and they can hopefully get used to being part of this "family."

I wanted to update everyone the status on those two chicks I slipped underneath mama hen. Two weeks is too old to slip underneath. She did not accept them. She pecked one to a point where he was bleeding from the head. I seperated the both immediately. They are now doing great in a separate brooder. Lesson learned.