How do you know if an adult will foster a chick?

[ButtonNomies]

Hi I have a singleton 2 day old chick who is very very needy not having hatchmates. It's eating and drinking and pooping fine. One of my six week old has been calling to its peeps. I'm not even sure if Josie is a female tbh (silver pearl but has no pink or peach feathers) so I took Max (baby) over to the big cage with my others in and only josie showed any interest in the chick, the others had a lil nosey at max but otherwise just moved on about their usual day! Josie however (who has always been naturally timid and shy) came right up to the bars and paced back and forth chirping away at Max. Should I try her(?) In the brooder with Max or would this be a bad idea? Thanks in advance, piks of Josie and Max for attention

 

[DobieLover]

osie however (who has always been naturally timid and shy) came right up to the bars and paced back and forth chirping away at Max. Should I try her(?)

I would certainly try letting Josie have access to the chick and a larger secure area with you right with them. It certainly seems as if she wants to be with the chick. It would be good for both of them if it went well. If they do well together, I would partition a section of your pen for them to have their own space for about 2-3 weeks so the rest of the flock can see them but not touch them. After that time, the chick will be better feathered and you can see if Josie will literally mother her and take her out.
If Josie doesn't try to brood her initially but just wants to be friends, you will need to provide a brooder plate for the chick. Good luck and please post back with how it goes if you try it.

 

[Nabiki]

The only way to know is to try. Keep a close eye on them. Sometimes it goes bad quickly and you know right away, sometimes it happens in a day or two.

 

[ButtonNomies]

I put her in with Max, she watched him for a wee bit, called to him, he ran to her then she pecked his beak n he ran away squealing. So she's back with her boyfriend even tho she does keep calling to his tiny pips from across the room xx

 

[neo71665]

I would separate her from the rest of the flock and try slowly giving the chick to her.