putting day-old chicks under Broody question

[nursemeh]

My hen set, hatched and successfully raised up 6 healthy chicks last Spring. She has been dedicated broody for 2 days straight and I just got day old chicks in the mail.

Since she's only been broody 2-3 days, would you try putting some chicks under her to raise?

Will she notice that its only been 2-3 days that she's been setting??

How good at math are hens??

THANKS for any advice!!!!

Mary

 

[ralleia]

Chickens aren't too good at math, but I've read that they're good enough to know when it's too soon for eggs to have hatched.

I've been 100% successful placing chicks for adoption under broody hens (about a half-dozen times, 24 chicks at a time), but I have always timed the chicks to arrive in the mail at about the three-week point. I've never attempted to shorten the process by so much.

 

[nursemeh]

I know it's way early-- but I didn't PLAN for her to go broody right now- she's so silly!!!!!

It's hard to resist the urge to atleast try to put some under her.... it was so adorable watching her raise them last year.

Mary