When to give late hatch back to broody

[Kristyh119]

I had two broody hens that hatched 9 chickens between the two of them. They hatched between the 7th and 10th. A few days ago they started keeping the chicks outside most of the day, but one hen still had an alive egg. I took the cold egg and put it in a box in my tortoise enclosure because it’s hot and humid in there. It finally hatched a few mins ago. I was Wondering if it would be safe to give it to the mommas maybe tomorrow night? He will be alone until I can put him with the others but I worry he won’t be able to keep up being a week to 10 day younger than everyone else.

 

[redranger209]

He won’t, and the hens won’t accept him. Either get some other chicks and hand raise him, or give him to someone with chicks the same age.

 

[jvls1942]

It is not always a case of the hen not accepting a new chick, most often the chick is too stupid to stay with the hen.
and I agree, that young chick will not keep up with the older chicks.
raise it for a month, then turn it in with the flock..

 

[Kristyh119]

Thank so much.... if I keep it inside for the month then send it out can I just put it in the coop at night with everyone else?

 

[Redhead Rae]

I've had success with grafting week old chicks to a hen that is hatching new babies (the older ones learned from the littles that the hen was mama), but I doubt it will work the other way around. Like @jvls1942 said, the new baby will have a hard time keeping up with the older chicks.

 

[Kristyh119]

So I went ahead and bought two friends for the little guy and they lived in the house with him until last night. I decided to bring them out to my Broodies to see what would happen. As soon as I brought in the box they stood up to see the screaming chicks. I held them in my lap for a minute with a flashlight on them and the broodies called them under. I stayed out there for an hour to keep an eye out and everything went great. Then I went out this morning to let the chickens out hoping I wouldn’t have to bring the 3 new additions back in. They followed their mommas right out the door along with the other eight chicks. I stayed out for 2 hours to make sure they kept up. The three of them stayed near each other the whole time but also stayed with the rest of the mini flock. Thanks for the advice. I had to at least try it with my Australorps being super docile. I’m going to keep a close eye on them for the rest of the day. Hopefully they will stay smart enough to stay with the moms and other chicks.

 

[jvls1942]

well done.
chicks learn by watching other chicks. I don't foresee any problems with the transfer.