how soon can you slip chicks under a broody hen?

[Mrs. K]

Last year I had a hen go broody. I marked the calender, and waited the 3 weeks, and then I bought new chicks and slipped them under her at night, and had great success.

My question is, would I have to wait the whole 3 weeks? Or once she is good and tight on a nest, truly broody, can you slip the chicks at any time? mk

 

[ShysCreations]

Get to know your hen. I've had some who would accept chicks within a few days of broodines and some who needed longer. After some losses of chicks, I watch closely the bonding. I put babies under a hen at night so they have all that dark time to hear each other and bond. Also, she is less apt to get up at night so she'll sit tight & keep them warm. Another consideration, if putting chicks of slightly different ages....I move the older ones out for one night while the younger ones bond to hen. Then next day put everybody back together. Alot of this is trial/error!