Polish chicks and non-Polish hen

[Bergiejo]

I have a question and an idea that I wanted to see if anyone has tried this or knows...I have a broody hen (Light Brahma) who's been very committed for the past two weeks and she's happily sitting on eggs officially for the last 7 days. I haven't candle or checked to see if they are developing yet, but wondering if she would adopt polish chicks if they don't hatch by day 21 ish. We have a mixed flock and currently have a White Crested Polish hen who's worked her way up the pecking order the past 2 years and wanted to give her some similar friends if the eggs don't hatch. Would the broody hen adopt this kind of chick even though the breeds are totally different and protect it?

Thanks in advance!

 

[oldhenlikesdogs]

Each hen is different. As long as she's willing to actually care for chicks it doesn't matter to her what they look like. I've had hens raise ducklings, poults, and even a gosling one year. Just be aware not all hens know what to do with chicks. Some just like being broody and setting. So always have a back up plan if she starts to attack them in any way.

 

[SilverBirds]

The breed of the chicks doesn't matter very much, it's whether she will accept any chicks at all is the real question. Some hens make great surrogate mothers and readily accept chicks or other types of poultry given to them. Others will attack their babies, even ones that hatched out themselves. No one can really say for sure how your hen will respond. Always have a backup plan in case she does happen to reject them or the chicks don't take to her.

 

[Bergiejo]

Thank you for your responses... appreciate it! This hen last year around the same time chose to be an auntie to another broody hen and her three chicks. I thought she was trying to steal the chicks away, but luckily the broody hen had a good bond with the chicks and they just appreciated the extra help from Auntie Dotty. However this year she's definitely determined and committed to have her own. I was just curious if the breeds/sizes mattered when adopting chicks to the broody hens. I've had hens adopt chicks the last two years, but this time I'm trying to see if we can hatch under a broody hen.

Thanks again!