Adding new chicks to existing “family”

[Arnolds2638]

I have two hens raising 4 chicks. 3 weeks old. 2 were hatched by one of my hens. 2 silkies hatched same day somewhere else and I slipped them underneath. They are doing well. I made the likely bad decision to get 2 one week old Easter eggers today. Has anyone successfully snuck them in and they’ve been accepted by the hens? The new babies are basically the same size as the 3 week old silkies.

 

[PippinTheChicken]

Try slip them under at night. In the morning you can check if she's accepted them. My only worry is that they might be weaned (when the hen leaves the chicks) too early

 

[Arnolds2638]

Try slip them under at night. In the morning you can check if she's accepted them. My only worry is that they might be weaned (when the hen leaves the chicks) too early

Thanks. I let them roam around with the whole little family today for about an hour or so. One of them was a little off put. The other hen just seemed to treat them like the others.

 

[MomJones]

Sounds like you have some lovely hens there. Great pictures too!

 

[Arnolds2638]

Thanks!