Day 23 with broody hen (not incubator)... are these a dud?

[Asaria1]

Maybe you can buy her 2-3 chicks to raise (very young, 5 days or younger). Just slip them under her at night.

From what I have read the eggs can tolerate on/off warmth initially, the tiny embryos just pause development when the heat disappears. Later on it becomes a deadly problem.

My lady only has 4-day old chicks. By the time i slip them under my broody tonight and they wake up in the morning, they will be 5 days old. Is this too old???

 

[Sonya9]

My lady only has 4-day old chicks. By the time i slip them under my broody tonight and they wake up in the morning, they will be 5 days old. Is this too old???

That will probably work! Be there first thing in the AM to make sure they are accepted. If in doubt give her a dish of scrambled egg and see if she tidbits for them. When chicks are about a week old they no longer respond/bond to a mama hen calling them etc...which is why they need to be young.
Report back on how it goes!

 

[Asaria1]

That will probably work! Be there first thing in the AM to make sure they are accepted. If in doubt give her a dish of scrambled egg and see if she tidbits for them. When chicks are about a week old they no longer respond/bond to a mama hen calling them etc...which is why they need to be young.
Report back on how it goes!

Oh great! Now i’m worried they will be too old. I wayyyyy overthink this whole chicken thing! Hahahaha

 

[The Happster]

I would not try chicks any older than 3 days absolute max.
Imprinting occurs during that time.
If you do decide to, be extremely wary.