Incubator hatched growing faster, more feathers...

[Chicken_Pauper]

I'm curious if anyone else has had experience in the area of having eggs split between a broody hen and the incubator. They both hatched within a couple of days of each other, the broody a day or two before. What is odd is that the incubator / bathtub chicks are larger, have more feathers, are more mature.... just seem "older" than the ones walking around with their mother.
Odd or normal? (three weeks old now)
Thank you.

 

[ChickenCanoe]

I would suspect that the incubator/tub chicks are growing faster because they are getting a starter feed that is complete as well as water close by.
Chicks with the hen will be eating whatever the hen finds for them and wait till she leads them to water.

 

[Chicken_Pauper]

Thank you... that was the only thing I could think of... just wondered if there was anything else. I appreciate it.
Take care.

 

[donrae]

I've always had the opposite. Broody hen chicks are hardier, feather out way faster, and generally better flock members. I don't know why your experience is different, unless she's just not a good momma.