when are chicks too old??

[me and my marans]

I have a hen that will be hatching on wendesday and have chicks that will be a week old on the same day,
would i be able to give the hen a few more chicks as only 3 eggs under her are fertile?

Thanks in advance.

 

[mstricer]

I dont understand what you are saying. Is she setting on eggs and has week old chicks?

 

[me and my marans]

sorry bout the confusion.

The hens eggs should be hatching on wendesday.

I have chicks inside under the red lamp.

but i prefer to raise them the natural way!
So could i give her some week old chicks aswell?? would the hen accept the chicks and vice versa

 

[debilorrah]

They usually do accept them, just spend some time watching her with them - but don't do it til the eggs hatch.

 

[sunket77]

I think it will depend on the hen if you slip them in just after hatch she may take them like her own. I have never tried this but I also have heard of people putting chicks under their broodys when they aren't sitting on fertile eggs. I agree about using natures way...I had a 99% hatch rate using a broody and so far I am having terrible luck using an incubator!

 

[JoAnn_WI_4-H_Mom]

Put the new chicks in at night after the eggs have hatched and dried. They will smell like her own by morning and be more acceptable.

 

[me and my marans]

Thanks for all the tips and input!