Mixing chicks

[sackosuds]

Hey all. I have a momma hen who just hatched out 7 little baby chicks, less than a week ago. I have her and the baby's separated from the rest of the flock. I also expect 4 eggs I gave to a friend of mine to hatch for me in an incubator to hatch in the next few days. I think I'd like to put the 4 chicks in with the momma and babies I have now. Can anyone tell me if this a good or bad idea? I'm hoping the momma hen will just adopt the newer babies as her own but not sure. Also they'll be roughly a week younger than the 7 chicks I have now. Any advice is appreciated.

 

[lazy gardener]

I'm thinking the age spread will be too much. The broody will most likely reject any new additions at this time. Common rule of thumb is that imprinting between broody and chicks is best completed within the first 48 hours. While the new chicks may imprint to your hen, your hen is not likely to imprint to the hatchlings.