Can I add older chicks with a new clutch w/hen

[Crystalchic]

My hen hatched so far three chicks. I have 6 or 7 that are in my house from one week old to one month old. Is it a bad idea to put the ones that are in my house with the newly hatched chicks and hen?

 

[Ridgerunner]

You can try it and see if she will accept them. The odds are better the younger the chicks are. Some hens will mother anything. Others will consider any new chick a threat to her babies and may kill it. I'd probably try it with any chick less than 2 weeks old but monitor it closely and be ready to intervene.

Good luck!!

 

[Crystalchic]

Thanks. I can't take the chance of having anything like that happening.

 

[beefy]

yeah you could try and just watch and make sure she accepts them rather than pecking them to death.

the only thing bad about letting the broody raise chicks is the chicks arent as a gentle when they grow up (unless she will let you catch them and handle them everyday)

also she would be more likely to take them if you gave them to her the night they were hatching. or soon thereafter.