Broody Hen adopting chicks

[Drewkim2001]

Greetings all,

I am not new to raising chicks in a brooder but this is my first time allowing a broody hen to raise chicks. She is a bantam hen that went broody and I got some fertile eggs for her from a neighbor. The hatch was 2 chicks on the 24th of July and all is going well. I allowed her to sit on the remaining 3 eggs until last night in hopes somewhere late hatchers. There were no late hatchers so I decided to pick up 2 chicks from the feed store. With that said I am looking for advice on a few questions.

1. Is it possible for the store-bought chicks to be accepted by the broody hen?

2. How should I go about putting them together?

Also, I should note the chicks are all the same age (within 2 days approx.) and not the same breed as the broody hen or hatched chicks. The hatched chicks are mixed. Thanks for any thoughts and happy pecking.

 

[sourland]

The hen has had 3 days to bond with her chicks, and it is very likely that she will regard the new chicks as 'strangers' especially since they look different from hers. Some hens on the other hand (silkies and cochins) are more accepting of chicks later in the game.

 

[noregerts]

I'd stick them under her after dark. You have them, might as well see if she'll raise them. If not, you know the drill.

 

[Drewkim2001]

Thanks all,

I just put them under her tonite and waited about 15mins. All seemed peaceful so I will check again an hour or so. If all is still well I will watch them in the morning and report back. Hoping the adoption takes and all goes well. If not like noregrets says, I know the drill. Happy pecking!

 

[Drewkim2001]

Heres the update,

So the adopted chicks made it through the night no problem and after first light, all seemed to go well until the momma went to feed she came back and got aggressive towards two adoptees so I had to remove them. So there will be 2 chicks raised by the broody and 2 raised artificially. Thanks for all your input.