Putting new chicks under broody hen with older chicks

[Riri13]

No, you shouldn't attempt to integrate chicks under a broody. It's too late for the hen to be able to bond with them.

They are only a few hours old .

 

[FuzzyCritters]

They are only a few hours old .

I'm confused--are the week olds the chicks under the broody, or are the hatching chicks the ones under the broody?

 

[gimmie birdies]

don't combine any groups.

 

[Riri13]

I'm confused--are the week olds the chicks under the broody, or are the hatching chicks the ones under the broody?

The ones under the broody are one week old tomorrow and the hatching chicks were born today.

 

[FuzzyCritters]

The ones under the broody are one week old tomorrow and the hatching chicks were born today.

The hen will not accept the new chicks, it's too late for the new ones to bond with her if she has other chicks.

 

[WAchickychicky]

I agree it could be a bad situation for the new chicks, the broody may kick them out or the older chicks will out-compete. I personally think of the integrating time like a normal hatching timeline (if she's sitting on eggs, they may hatch between a 48 hr period). Outside of that time, she will transitioning to different kinds of mothering as the chicks grow.

 

[JacinLarkwell]

If she has had any chicks longer than 3 days, it's too late to add more, period

 

[lizo97]

In my case, I have a 3 day old and 4 day old -- could I put 2 more chicks that just hatched under her and see if she accepts them?