Adding Chicks To Existing Mama?

[GirlsMommy18]

I purchased 4 6&7 day old Easter Egger chicks planning on putting them under a broody who's eggs failed to hatch, and an existing bantam cochin mother that has 2 3-day old bantam chicks. Both mothers are first time moms. I plan on adding the chicks late tonight, but I'm wondering if it's too late to add chicks to my existing mom's brood? Her chicks are around 1/2-2/3 the size of the new chicks since they are bantam mixes. My other hen is a tiny OEGB, so I'm not sure if she can keep all 4 standard chicks warm enough.

 

[Crazy for Chickens!]

You can try this, but it doesn't usually work very well. If you do, wait until its really late, so the chickens are sound asleep. Then make sure you check on them before the wake up, so you don't have any pecking. I would just plan to have a brooder ready, just in case.
Especially with the chicks being so old already.......

 

[GirlsMommy18]

You can try this, but it doesn't usually work very well. If you do, wait until its really late, so the chickens are sound asleep. Then make sure you check on them before the wake up, so you don't have any pecking. I would just plan to have a brooder ready, just in case.
Especially with the chicks being so old already.......

Should I just attempt to place them all under the game hen then? They've been brooded outside since hatching. Would their combined warmth (4 chicks and small broody) keep them ok at the 55f it's supposed to get tonight?

 

[aart]

Biggest problem is the chicks don't understand going under the broody when they are used to a heat lamp...even if you are using 'dark heat'(plate or pad) they are pretty old, and mama would have to be very accommodating. Not sure I'd risk it...keep a very close eye.

 

[Crazy for Chickens!]

Should I just attempt to place them all under the game hen then? They've been brooded outside since hatching. Would their combined warmth (4 chicks and small broody) keep them ok at the 55f it's supposed to get tonight?

She can probably keep them warm.

 

[GirlsMommy18]

I was hoping for day old chicks since the posting said they were hatching this Monday, and it was posted on Friday. Unfortunately it was a repost as I discovered when I got there. Seemed too late to pull out of the sale though. What if I put them under the broody, but have a heat lamp nearby in case it doesn't workout?

 

[JedJackson]

A game hen is unlikely to accept chicks that old. You can try, but you risk them being injured by the hen or them dying of cold if she boots them from the nest. I would just keep them in the brooder if I was in this situation.

 

[aart]

I was hoping forday old chicks since the posting saidthey were hatching this Monday, and it was posted on Friday. Unfortunately it was a repost as I discovered when I got there. Seemed too late to pull out of the sale though. What if I put them under the broody, but have a heart lamp nearby in case it doesn't workout?

If the broody won't accept them you'll have to put them under some heat,
but they should be separated by wire if the broody tries to attack them.

 

[GirlsMommy18]

If the broody won't accept them you'll have to put them under some heat,
but they should be separated by wire if the broody tries to attack them.

If the broody doesn't accept them, I'll remove her from the brooding coop. I can't let her sit for another full set after her eggs didn't hatch. It's just been too long and I'm worried about her.

 

[GirlsMommy18]

Well, I put 3 under her and she puffed up and pulled the last one under her when it panicked and tried walking away from her rump. They are settled in nicely. My cochin mama poked her head out of her nest to see what was going on, so I put the 4th Easter Egger in her nest. She pulled it right under her after a moment as well. I did put a heat lamp in the opposite corner of the broody coop behind some curtains just in case. I guess I'll see what happens come morning. Hopefully the mamas and babies will bond.

Wish them luck!