I have seen many posts that say to wait until chicks are 12 or more weeks old to add them to a flock. If we let a hen go broody and hatch some eggs why is there a problem? I would think years ago on farms there were chickens of all ages in a flock. Perhaps because the flock was basically free range years ago so minimal interaction among age groups? Really don't want to have nor do we have room for a seperate coop and run areas for the younguns'.
). But, said broody hen could also see the chicks as an intruder to her nest and injure them severely or kill them. Not all broody hens are created equal. I've had those hens that will brood any living critter and others that weren't fit to raise rocks. Scalped and dead chicks are a heartbreaking thing. Most hens will only accept day olds as well, so that's something else to consider. If you can't brood them yourself, which is the alternative if she doesn't take them, why not just get some hatching eggs? Then they'll certainly be hers and she can do all of the work of raising and integrating them into the flock. Good luck!
