Surrogacy

[bailey'smama]

I have a Maran hen who just hatched one little bitty chick (not hers!).

Here's my question: if I buy a few other chicks around the same age (2 days) will she accept and brood them all? or should I just raise the new chicks by hand?

 

[dsqard]

I have never done this but I have read about people doing it. From what I have seen, people usually introduce the additonal chicks at dark so there is less fuss. Of course I would hang around for a while and make sure the hen is going to accept the additional chicks. Good luck!