Integrating week old chicks

[Silviaschicks]

Hi, one of my girls just died and another is dying, so eventually I’m going to get 2 more chicks. With the hatcherry here near me, they only sell week old chicks, and I don’t have the time or supplies to hatch eggs. I was wondering if my BR is broody, could I swap fake eggs under her for the week old chicks when she’s asleep, or would she somehow be able to sense their ages or tell they’re not hers and kill them? Should I just raise the chicks until they’re older and integrate them then? Thanks for all the help in advance!

 

[3KillerBs]

Here are some useful articles on integration:

https://www.backyardchickens.com/articles/integrating-new-birds-at-4-weeks-old.72603/
https://www.backyardchickens.com/articles/my-coop-brooder-and-integration.74591/
https://www.backyardchickens.com/articles/introducing-new-chickens-using-the-“see-but-don’t-touch”-method.67839/
https://www.backyardchickens.com/articles/adding-to-your-flock.47756/

I'm not an expert on this, but what I've read is that broodies generally only accept very young, fairly new-hatched chicks and that older chicks, who have not imprinted on a broody, don't accept the broody either.

Chickens being chickens, there are exceptions, but you can't count on an exception.

Why are your chickens dying? Do they have a problem that could spread to the chicks?

 

[CluckerFamily]

I would also be worried as to what is killing your chickens. I am worried the chicks could catch the same thing.
Broody hens imprint on their chicks within day one of hatching. She could quickly kill the week old chicks.

 

[Silviaschicks]

Why are your chickens dying? Do they have a problem that could spread to the chicks?

I would also be worried as to what is killing your chickens. I am worried the chicks could catch the same thing.

It’s not contagious. My OE has had a problem with her laying tract for a while now. She either has cancer or an infection. She was really sick but recovered, however she doesn’t have much time left (probably a few months)

 

[Mamatomany123]

Whether your broody takes the chicks or not depends in the broody. I have a hen who goes broody a lot but never takes chicks I give her. I just break her and brood in the coop for early integration.