Eggs or Day Old

[Ajd1126]

So, I’m still fairly new to chickening, but I would like to expand my flock next spring. I have a few needs I expect to go broody (4 buff orpingtons and from what I understand, my Silver Laced Wyandotte’s May go broody as well). I’m beyond excited to see what I get with my orpingtons roosters crossed with my flock of leghorns, RIR and Wyandottes, but I want to add some more breeds. In your opinions, is it easier to raise indoors from eggs and introduce when the chicks are older, or, have any of you successfully introduced Day Old chicks to broody hens? Personally, I’d prefer to sneak attack Day Old chicks rather than try to get the hens to set on a hatch of purchased eggs, but, I suppose both come with risks. Thoughts?

 

[cavemanrich]

Many peeps slip day old chicks under broodies. The best way to do this is to have broody sit on eggs for a number of days at least. Then slip them in and take out the eggs from under her. This way you have the hen do all the raising of chicks. No brooder, or heat lamps needed.
If you have multiple hens broody at same time. I suggest you separate each group. Sometimes broodies will steal chicks from another. Sometimes, there could be conflicts.
WISHING YOU BEST,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,and

 

[MarkJr]

Slipping day olds under broody is the ONLY way to go!

 

[Ajd1126]

So, I’m now I’m wondering, should I toss some golf balls in there to pull out if I’m ok with her hatching her own eggs too? Then I can pull the golf balls after slipping the day old under her instead of her eggs?

 

[SueT]

Not every broody will accept chicks ....I had one that tried to kill them. Be prepared to raise them yourself if the introduction fails......
edited to add--to increase the chances of a hen adopting chicks, it is best to let her be broody for the full 21 days, and for the chicks to be as young as possible, the younger the better.