Getting a broody hen to accept 3 day old chicks

[Jenna137henna]

Hi, this is my first time having a chicken go broody. She’s (buff Orpington) been broody for a few weeks and is very protective of her nesting box. I read about getting baby chicks from a feed store and placing them under her in late evening when all the hens are roosting. I placed four under her and she didn’t do anything. Just sat there for a while. I left and returned about 20 minutes later to find one baby chick falling out of the nest. When I opened the lid she saw another one and started aggressively pecking it. I had to push her out of the box and remove all the chicks. They are in a brooder box right now, safe, and not injured.

My question is.. can I try again tomorrow morning around 4am or once she rejects them once it’s over? What did I do wrong?

Thank you!

 

[ChickenCanoe]

In my experience, the challenge is normally getting the chicks to accept the hen is tougher than getting the hen to adopt the chicks, especially if the hen had recently been broody - the 'wanna raise a family hormones' are already present. Once the chicks become independent and if it is warm enough, they could care less.
Make sure it is absolutely dark when you put them under as they likely won't move till there is light.