Picked up chicks, now broody mumma?

[Gypsi]

so I go out tonight to gather eggs in the main coop and she is sitting on them. only 3 chicks hatched. considering putting them under her but worried about my other hens killing them.

 

[lena_]

Congrats! I'm assuming none of the eggs that you got her in your Hatch Along Thread hatched? Are you going to eggtopsy them?

 

[Gypsi]

Congrats! I'm assuming none of the eggs that you got her in your Hatch Along Thread hatched? Are you going to eggtopsy them?

Actually 3 hatched. the other 5, a couple were fertile and the rest failed very early. 100% for the viable ones.

 

[L1sa]

so I go out tonight to gather eggs in the main coop and she is sitting on them. only 3 chicks hatched. considering putting them under her but worried about my other hens killing them.

You have a bit of a dilemma now, I would have said leave it a few days to make sure that she is committed again. But it's best to put young (less than 3 days old) chicks under a broody. How old are yours now?

Having said that, I've seen a YouTube clip of a broody hen mothering 2 days old kittens!! So I guess they're none too bright!!

I would have a go at putting them under her, if she accepts them, she should protect them from the other hens, just be prepared that if it doesn't go so well, you may have whip them out pretty quick and raise them yourself till they're old enough to fend for themselves.

Best of luck.