Broody hen with eggs vs. baby chicks from feed store

[elizabetholive]

I have a broody hen who have 3 eggs that are under her. we are 2 weeks into her sitting and we went to the feed store and couldn't pass off the little babies. So, we have chicks that we would like to have the hen adopt BUT she has 3 unhatched eggs.

Can we introduce the baby chicks at night without removing eggs?

OR

Do we have to take the eggs away to have her adopt the chicks?

 

[sourland]

If you give her the chicks, she will leave the eggs before they hatch. In my experience hens generally leave the nest within 36 hours of the first chick hatching. This is why staggered hatches are a nightmare.

 

[elizabetholive]

Thank you. So, I think its best to take the eggs out.

Could I hatch the eggs without an incubator? Like with a heating pad or light?

 

[sourland]

It can be difficult to maintain a proper temperature and humidity, but some have success if they can come close to at least the proper temperature.