Adding chicks in with 2 hens?

[Alydup]

I want to get 3 chicks to add to my flock of only 2 hens. My naked neck goes broody fairly easily. Could I get away with just adding the chicks in under her? Or should I wait until they are grown to introduce them?

 

[Chicka_deee]

How old are your chicks and is your naked neck broody right now?

 

[EggSighted4Life]

Could I get away with just adding the chicks in under her?

If you do it when she is broody.. YES!

Some excessive broody's will take chicks even when they aren't broody... but I wouldn't risk it.

As long as chicks are under 6 days old usually. After that they won't bond or listen very easily to her.

3 chicks is a fantastic amount. I love adopting so I don't have to deal with roosters and I get to try many breeds.

Tucking them in at night keeps them under her since it's dark they won't venture out. This way she can feel them moving and cluck to them so they learn her voice and she learns theirs.

Since adopted chicks have already used up their yolk, I provide food and water nearby during the daytime only... they don't eat in the dark.

Good luck!

 

[Alydup]

How old are your chicks and is your naked neck broody right now?

I don’t have the chicks yet just planning ahead but I would get new chicks and she seemingly goes broody anytime there are eggs left in the nesting box.

 

[Stacyoung13]

I just gave my broody Cuckoo Maran, Boca, 3-1 day old golden sex links. She was so happy!!! I only gave her two to begin with and gave one to another broody, but the other broody did not want nothing to do with that baby, so I gave the third one to Boca, and it was daytime when I gave it to her, and she excepted it with no problems. good luck with yours!!

 

[Alydup]

If I was to let her raise them how much contact would we be able to have with them? Would she want to keep us away? We hand raised our first set of chicks and I think my kids would be pretty disappointed if they couldn’t hold and interact with them. I want to hand raise friendly chickens but I also worry about them being accepted in if we raise them. Any thoughts? Pros and cons?

 

[Stacyoung13]

Boca lets me interact with her and the babies. Actually, I’ve been pretty lucky about all my mommas letting me pet and hold the babies. Of course I give them a couple of days to bond first, and I always pet the momma first. But all my chickens, except 2 of my Roos, will let me pet them. Not all the time, but most. It really depends on the trust between you and your hen. If she trusts you, she’s more likely to let you interact.

 

[WhoDatChick]

If I was to let her raise them how much contact would we be able to have with them? Would she want to keep us away? We hand raised our first set of chicks and I think my kids would be pretty disappointed if they couldn’t hold and interact with them. I want to hand raise friendly chickens but I also worry about them being accepted in if we raise them. Any thoughts? Pros and cons?

I just did this... I gave my broody Silkie 4 baby Cochins.. gave them to her during the day and she was fine with that.. I would try it as it is so much easier! And is in fact the sweetest thing to ever witness!! She is still in a sectioned off area within the run with them.. they are 6 weeks old now.
She will not let you hold them.. she will protect them.. I did have to on occasion catch them in order to move them out of weather and I was able to do this without incident but it does stress them out as they just want their babies and their babies just want mama.. so to fool with them is not worth the stress...
And I wouldn’t worry about them eventually being friendly with you... I do believe they will be just as friendly as others raised by you.. they are already trying to get near to me though the wire when I sit in there with them.. as they learn quickly that you bring the goods!!
And do as EggSighted mentioned... put food and water near by so they can find it easily...
I have a thread about this... *Broody Silkie turned adoptive mother*