How long does a hen have to be broody before placing chicks under them?

[Wolf Family]

We have chicks that just hatched last night in our incubator. Today, we discovered that one of our Jersey Giants went broody, (again). How soon is too soon to place babies under her? We've had success with placing babies under her before, but she had been broody several weeks by then.

 

[farnorth]

We have chicks that just hatched last night in our incubator. Today, we discovered that one of our Jersey Giants went broody, (again). How soon is too soon to place babies under her? We've had success with placing babies under her before, but she had been broody several weeks by then.

I once waited only 2 or 3 days, and it worked fine. I'd say give it a try but be there in the morning just in case.