Removing newly hatched chicks from broody hen and placing them with Momma hen

[saddlinup]

I have 2 broody hens,one has babies that are over 1 week old and the other broody hen is sitting on fertile eggs. A new chick hatched last night and I tried to introduce the new chick to the broody hen with that has babies. She is pecking the newborn too rough and I do not know how to get the Mom to accept it so it can thrive with the other babies. HELP!!!!! I don't want to loose the new baby but I do not know how to get the Mom to accept the new chick. I know I have a day or so since the newborn can live off what it absorbed while in the egg but don't want to wait too late.

 

[Judy]

I would put the chick back with the hen who hatched it. At this point, you will probably want to wait til after dark and slip it under her then. I would have guessed that the hen with week old chicks would not accept a day old chick. The one who hatched it should stay on the nest (and chick) for a day or two, then leave any unhatched eggs to care for and raise the chicks.