Adopting chicks

[Will230145]

So my broody hen is on day 13, almost 14. Her eggs are due to hatch from the 24th to the 27th as they are bantam eggs and could hatch between 18-21 days. We are getting 12 hatchery chicks on the 22nd, which would probably be around the age of day 2. So the earliest the chicks would hatch under the hen, the hatchery chicks would be around day 4. What do you think the chances of her accepting them would be? Sorry if this is in the wrong place. Thanks!

 

[cavemanrich]

Your hen would most-likely gladly accept the 12 , but my thought is about your eggs she is sitting on. If it is only a 2 day span, then I see no problem. If it gets longer, I am not sure, but there is a possibility she may leave nest, and your eggs will get cold, and expire.
One possible option, is to keep the 12 chicks in a brooder, and slip them under hen when your eggs hatch.
How many eggs is she sitting on currently?? Don't get the thought that your hen knows how many should hatch, and she would refuse additional chicks. CHICKEN MATH applies only to us humans, not our chickens
WISHING YOU BEST,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,and

 

[cluckadoodledoo13]

So my broody hen is on day 13, almost 14. Her eggs are due to hatch from the 24th to the 27th as they are bantam eggs and could hatch between 18-21 days. We are getting 12 hatchery chicks on the 22nd, which would probably be around the age of day 2. So the earliest the chicks would hatch under the hen, the hatchery chicks would be around day 4. What do you think the chances of her accepting them would be? Sorry if this is in the wrong place. Thanks!

As cavemanrich said, the only problem is if she leaves the nest and the eggs go cold. Is there anything you could keep the chicks in when they arrive until your eggs hatch?

 

[cluckadoodledoo13]

As cavemanrich said, the only problem is if she leaves the nest and the eggs go cold. Is there anything you could keep the chicks in when they arrive until your eggs hatch?

If you do then putting everyone in at the same time could be an option.

 

[Will230145]

As cavemanrich said, the only problem is if she leaves the nest and the eggs go cold. Is there anything you could keep the chicks in when they arrive until your eggs hatch?

We do have a brooder. I would never put the chicks in until all viable eggs would hatch! Thanks!!

 

[Will230145]

Your hen would most-likely gladly accept the 12 , but my thought is about your eggs she is sitting on. If it is only a 2 day span, then I see no problem. If it gets longer, I am not sure, but there is a possibility she may leave nest, and your eggs will get cold, and expire.
One possible option, is to keep the 12 chicks in a brooder, and slip them under hen when your eggs hatch.
How many eggs is she sitting on currently?? Don't get the thought that your hen knows how many should hatch, and she would refuse additional chicks. CHICKEN MATH applies only to us humans, not our chickens
WISHING YOU BEST,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,and

She has 7 eggs under her, and I don't plan adding the chicks until all eggs hatch or die.