Non-broody Hen Adopting Babies?

[arent87]

OK, I've read through the first couple pages of posts and didn't see this question, so please link if you know where it is, or answer if you know the answer...

(btw - We just hatched several baby guineas so this isn't an incubator question... my goal is to integrate new baby chicks into the current flock as smoothly as possible.) SO! ...

BACK STORY:
I have 8 hens... Four are 4 years old and four are 2 years old, and NONE of them EVER go broody... we've tried all the suggestions... leaving eggs in a nesting box, real eggs, fake eggs, etc... they couldn't care less. Eggs rot, get stepped on, booted out of the boxes, etc.

When we integrated the second set of hens (the now 2-year olds that we bought as chicks), it went 'OK', but still took quite a while for the old gals to finally barely tolerate them.

THE QUESTION: Once we hatch our half dozen or so baby chicks, I'm thinking about grabbing them up after a day or two and stuffing them under the 'Alpha' hen to adopt when she's in the nesting box. I prefer her or #2 on the ladder because that will pretty much guarantee no one else messes with their babies... but will it work? Or will she just ignore them ... or kill them...

 

[staceyj]

Due to the hormonal factor of broodiness the success of this is highly unlikely.

 

[KikiLeigh02]

I think this would only have a possibility of working if your hen is already broody, even then there is no guarantee she will accept them.

 

[sylviethecochin]

I'd set up my brooder and keep them away from the adults.

I had a silkie adopt one orphaned chick in the past. When I tried to get her to do it again, she attacked the new chick. I would not even try it with any other bird.

 

[arent87]

That's what I was afraid of. I'll go the normal brooder route. Thanks all!