What is the oldest chick you've ever given to a broody hen?

[farnorth]

Has anyone ever put 10 day old chicks under a broody or is that too old? The youngest chicks I can find are 10 days to 2 weeks old.

 

[agumerman]

I put four day old chicks under. It took two days to wake the hens up. Few days later I added two more. I have four more I need to add, but it is more about the chicks not accepting the moms. That's the key.

 

[bboyd1]

Has anyone ever put 10 day old chicks under a broody or is that too old?  The youngest chicks I can find are 10 days to 2 weeks old.

I had a broody that hatched out several eggs from our flock, and when hers were a week old I added day old chicks. Just my experience, I did it middle of the day and just turned them loose next to her and she dang near attacked me for being near "her" chicks. You see all of the chicks were hers as soon as they hit the hay. Lol. I probably could have given her chicks of any age, but didn't know it at the time. Point is, it may just depend on how strong the motherly instincts are in your hen. And this year may just have to be trial an rd error, then next time she's bloody and you want to graft chicks you`'ll know.

 

[bboyd1]

Dang auto correct...

 

[Tumbleweed Farm]

I've also had good luck putting chicks on ground and wow momma clucks and takes them in right away. However, I have not done it with any over 4 days old. Just try it and see how it goes.

 

[farnorth]

I found some day olds....I was too worried that older chicks would not just snuggle under the hen the way the little ones do.

 

[Beekissed]

I didn't put these under her but I had a broody that started mothering 4 mo. old birds, like a crazy woman who'd lost her child, after this broody had a failed hatch. It was sad to watch and sort of pathetic but they finally let her mother them....later it was kind of funny to see 5 mo. old bird being fed by their mama and all of them trying to fit into a nest box to sleep with her.

I've given a broody 3 day old chicks before, no problem.

 

[farnorth]

I gave her 7 One day old Icelandic chicks to raise. They are under her in this picture....she won't let me touch her or them to take a batter pic....after a while they will come out exploring.

 

[CarolinaHen]

I had a little 3 week old EE baby that wasn't thriving. I put her down near my broody Silkie, and she took to the little one right away. It is super cute to see her send the little one out to eat and drink while mom stays on the clutch of eggs.