Reintroducing hatch assisted chick to hen

[olliek]

I am trying to be short. three chicks hatched; hen abandoned three further eggs. One egg was already cracked and in the process so we assisted it and had it in the house the last four days. it has made steady progress and now seems like a normal hatched chick albeit a week behind the other three.
How and when do we re-introduce the chick to the remainder of the newly hatched chicks and hen? I was waiting until Saturday as it is going to be reasonably warm and it is only 55 to 60 outside now?

any help greatly appreciated.

Thanks!

 

[sourland]

Well, it all depends upon the hen. Generally hens bond to their chicks within 24 hours and regard any others (especially a different color or noticeably different) as strangers and peck at/attack them. Some breeds, notably silkies and cochins, are more willing to accept chicks later in the brooding period. I generally like to add chicks in the evening by slipping them under the hen, but this will require monitoring early in the morning for the safety of the chick. Good luck.

 

[olliek]

it is a black cochin that was broody, so maybe we are in luck. should I add a heat lamp just in case she rejects the chick?