Can I put two week old chicks with two older than year hens?

[Silverpheonix]

So I used an incubator for time and I hatched three chicks. They are two weeks old now can I place them with twobolder hen? One hen is seven and has raised chuck before and a another is four and hasn't.

 

[Lady of McCamley]

You can always try and observe to see how it goes, but generally, no.

Some broody mommas, once a successful momma, will foster anything at the drop of a hat. Most require their hormones to be in the right level or they simply act like a normal chicken.

Most chickens will haze any new bird, and can be very hard on smaller birds, generally making their lives miserable until the pecking order is established.

Therefore, it usually is best to have birds closer to size to prevent severe hazing such that the younger birds cannot eat or drink.

But it has been done with the right flock temperaments. If your hens are really laid back, it might work. But it is not likely to work at this age. Two weeks is too small to fend for themselves well.

I personally would wait until they are 8 to 10 weeks of age.

LofMc

 

[Silverpheonix]

Thanks I was wondering since I haven't seen it anywhere else on the forum. I will wait to put them in with the hens later.