Broody hen sitting on 3 fertile eggs. Will she still sit on them if we give her chicks?

[HENS-and-MARES]

So we tried to get our hen broody so she would raise the chicks we ordered. We gave her 4 fake eggs, but she also has 3 fertile eggs. The eggs still have about 2 weeks to go. The chicks arrive this Thursday. Will she still sit on the eggs?

 

[sourland]

No. Hens are biologically programmed to leave the nest within 36 hours of the chicks hatching. This is to assure that the chicks get feed and water.

 

[HENS-and-MARES]

So how should I keep them from dying? I don’t have a incubator.

 

[Sixandahalfacres]

You can’t do both. She will abandon the eggs if she accepts the chicks. Your options are to 1) raise the chicks yourself in a brooder or 2) switch the eggs for the chicks and buy an incubator for the 3 eggs or 3) switch the eggs for the chicks and then throw out the eggs.

 

[HENS-and-MARES]

Okay thanks