How do we add new chicks to our broody hen?

[nyice]

So, we have incubator chicks inside and 4 chicks our with our hen. Here is our dilema. We would like to exchange some. Basically 3 for 3. What is the best way to go about this? The incubator chicks are just a few days behind and were hatched on Monday and Tuesday this week.

Any help/suggestions are welcome.

 

[NicInNC]

Just try giving them to the broody. That's what I did and she was so excited I almost cried. She accepted them right away and has been happy ever since. Since the chicks will only be a few days behind the others, you shouldn't have any problem at all.

 

[nyice]

We do not want to traumatize her (it is hard enough getting near the chicks, much less taking 3 away) but would like to give away some of the ones she is sitting on.
I have read to add new chicks at night, do we try to remove them at night also?

 

[NicInNC]

If she doesn't like you near her and the chicks, then yes...I'd wait until night time. Mine has never minded us handling the chicks so you have a bit of a different situation than we had.