Introducing 9 week old chicks to older hen?

[sophie_cerys]

One of my two 4-year-old hens unfortunately died just over a week ago, leaving only 1 hen. Last Friday, I got two 9-week-old chicks who have been visible to the older hen since then but kept separate. I've read in a few places that chicks shouldn't be introduced to adult hens until they're 18 weeks, but our older hen is constantly standing by the 2 new ones, preening by them, sitting down by them etc., so seems to really quite like them. Would you wait for longer before putting them all in together, or do you think it would be ok to introduce them in the next couple of days?

 

[aart]

One of my two 4-year-old hens unfortunately died just over a week ago, leaving only 1 hen. Last Friday, I got two 9-week-old chicks who have been visible to the older hen since then but kept separate. I've read in a few places that chicks shouldn't be introduced to adult hens until they're 18 weeks, but our older hen is constantly standing by the 2 new ones, preening by them, sitting down by them etc., so seems to really quite like them. Would you wait for longer before putting them all in together, or do you think it would be ok to introduce them in the next couple of days?

I'd give it a try.
How are they separated...is it easy to open a door or....?
Pics would help here.

 

[thatpeg]

I'm wondering how things worked out with the new chicks and the surviving hen, Sophie? I'm in the same boat. My small flock of 5 ameraucanas is down to one hen now who is so lonely! Yesterday I acquired 8 4-week old chicks and am keeping them in a separate location but would like to introduce them sooner than later. I'm guessing a single hen may be less likely to attack 4 wk old babies if she's outnumbered! How did things go with your chicks?