Foster Chicks?

[LapisLazuli]

My bantam hen went broody about 3 weeks ago. I candled her eggs and none of them are fertile. I was wondering could I get some week old chicks and put them under her and take away the eggs? Would she take care of the chicks?

 

[JacinLarkwell]

Day olds would be bettet

 

[LapisLazuli]

All I can find are several days to 1 week old.

 

[Artichoke Lover]

I would get day olds. Weeks olds are too big and increase the chance of her rejecting them. If you do get some either day olds or week olds make sure you have a brooder set up just in case she doesn’t accept them.

 

[LapisLazuli]

Does it matter what time of day I give them to her?

 

[JacinLarkwell]

Mine were about 3 days and they were accepted by my hen that had her own. But I wouldn't try any further than that. Maybe without her own chicks it would work better?

 

[JacinLarkwell]

Does it matter what time of day I give them to her?

Mist suggest at night and checking immediately in the morning. I just gave her one every other hour in the middle of the day until she had them all

 

[LapisLazuli]

None of her eggs are developing.