Giving Chicks to a Broody Hen?

[CAranchgirl]

Hi,
I am looking for advice on giving chicks to a broody hen. I have done it before with good success, but the hen had set the full 21 days.

This time we were thinking about giving a hen chicks who has only been sitting for 6 days. Is there a higher chance of rejection? Will she realize that they aren't her babies because she hasn't been brooding long enough and not accept them?

Thanks for your help!!

 

[Goose and Fig]

Bump

 

[FlashPointFarm]

I doubt it. I would just put them with her, take away her eggs and watch closely. I just gave my neighbor some chix and he did the same thing. It turned out fine, she's raising them. Every chicken is different though, so just keep an eye on her. Let us know how it turned out for you!

 

[walkswithdog]

Depends more on the hen than anything. Some will take them within a week of setting and some will kill them before 12-14 days have passed, you find both. I've had both happen.

 

[CAranchgirl]

Thanks for the help...since I give the chicks to the new mom at night, it makes me nervous because it is hard to monitor what happens, and I wouldn't want her to kill them! Maybe I will wait another week and see if I can get more day old chicks from the feed store just to be safe....