Incubating without broody hen

[mcziska]

I have a hen taking care of her three chicks right now that are less than a week old that she set on. I want to hatch a group in our incubator but I am curious, will a hen take them under her wing or just ignore (and possibly attack) them? Could anyone shed a little bit of light on this for me? Our hen is a black frizzle who is about 7 to 8 months old.

Thanks

 

[gander007]

I have a hen taking care of her three chicks right now that are less than a week old that she set on. I want to hatch a group in our incubator but I am curious, will a hen take them under her wing or just ignore (and possibly attack) them? Could anyone shed a little bit of light on this for me? Our hen is a black frizzle who is about 7 to 8 months old.

Thanks

It really depends on your hen ....



Now this pullet not only stole egg's but is sizing up these chicks to take ....





The new chicks are in the upper right hand corner ....




If you hen wont take the chicks and pecks at them you can also try putting them under her at night and with out lights so she cant see what you are doing and get up to see what is going on in the morning ....

 

[mcziska]

Thank you for that. It certainly will help.

 

[spotsplus]

As already noted it all depends on the hen. I have an Old English Hen and a Silkie x Cochin hen and I can give those girls any chicks up to 4 days old and the OE has even taken week old chicks under her wing