Finding mama

[Peggsblueinc]

I have 12 2week old chicks. I have a hen that has 3 chicks she’s been raising. They are a good 6 weeks old. Can I put the babies in the same coop with her. Will she raise them.

 

[50-45-1]

Depends on the hen.
She may tolerate them, she might aggressively be intolerant and attack them in protection of her own.
Your chicks are to old to suddenly now recognize a mama hen.

 

[Folly's place]

And these chicks won't be able to keep up with the older ones, even if the hen wants to adopt them.
Mary

 

[FrostRanger]

She probably won't adopt them. Hens rarely adopt chicks after they leave the nest

 

[Mrs. K]

And two week old chicks won't see her as mama. People tend to blame the hen, but really it is a two way street. The chicks need to bond with the hen and see that as a warm safe place. The motion of movement underneath the hen, flips the switch to mothering live chicks instead of sitting on eggs. And really there is rather a narrow window of time for all of that to happen. 2-4 days.

Mrs K

 

[Yardmom]

Many hens are done leading their chicks around by 6 weeks. She will likely push the 6 week old chicks away soon.

Hens with chicks are not likely to accept other chicks. Some hens may even attack the new chicks when they have their own. It may be because other chicks are a threat to the resources for their own chicks.

Only a few hens take up the more the merrier attitude.

 

[Peggsblueinc]

Ok thank you all for the info. I was hoping. I know theirs a pecking order. What if I take mama out since the older 3 are quite a bit older. Since the little ones are the majority 12 verses the 3 do you think the older ones would peck at the 2 week old ones.

 

[Yardmom]

In response to post 7 This will depend on the personality of the chicks. It might work. If you try it and the older ones are to rough, you could try removeing the older chicks for a couple days (ideally in sight of the younger) and then try again.