Adding incubator chicks to momma hen

[Kristin99]

Hi I'm new here and fairly new with chickens we've only had them a few months now. We have been having terrible turn out with our incubatorelationship, so imagine my excitement when one of my Cochins went broody. Well the incubator chciks and hen were only a few days apart. And out of 36 eggs in the incubator only 2 hatched completely 6 pipped and quit and 2 unzipped then quit. So my question is when the hens chicks hatch will I be able to sneak the few days older two under her? Will she accept them? Will she harm them? It's only 2. Any help will be great! Thanks

 

[nchls school]

Hi I'm new here and fairly new with chickens we've only had them a few months now. We have been having terrible turn out with our incubatorelationship, so imagine my excitement when one of my Cochins went broody. Well the incubator chciks and hen were only a few days apart. And out of 36 eggs in the incubator only 2 hatched completely 6 pipped and quit and 2 unzipped then quit. So my question is when the hens chicks hatch will I be able to sneak the few days older two under her? Will she accept them? Will she harm them? It's only 2. Any help will be great! Thanks

If the incubator chicks are similar in appearance the hen should readily accept them once her own chicks are hatching. Give her the two when all eggs have hatched and the chicks are active. I added two to my own hen a few weeks ago. She didn't seem to even notice that two were a bit larger.

 

[Pork Pie]

Hi and welcome to BYC. I have read that it can go either way. From what i understand, introducing them on a night time is the best time, and make sure that you are present at day break to monitor how momma is doing with her adopted chicks (and have a plan B ready).

Good luck and let us know how it goes.

CT

 

[drumstick diva]

Supervise them closely. If momma tucks them in under her feathers - that's a good sign.

 

[BantamFan4Life]

Welcome to BYC! I'm glad you joined us!