When to put incubator-hatched chick with broody-hatched chicks?

[kaybiegirl]

My very first broody hatched 5 eggs between Monday and Tuesday. Yesterday, we removed a couple unhatched eggs after a water container spilled in the nesting box, soaking them. I put them in the incubator and one hatched during the night.

I’d like to try to put it with the hen mother, but do I need to wait until it is fully fluffy and dry? It’s been approx. 6-8 hours (I’m guessing) since it hatched.

 

[Kellyjenny]

Let me me find somebody to help you ok. @Kiki

 

[kaybiegirl]

Let me me find somebody to help you ok. @Kiki

Thank you!

 

[JacinLarkwell]

She may not accept the chick, fyi. I usually keep a dud egg under mama if I'm not giving her pipped eggs to hatch.

 

[kaybiegirl]

She may not accept the chick, fyi. I usually keep a dud egg under mama if I'm not giving her pipped eggs to hatch.

I thought of that AFTER I took all the eggs

 

[JacinLarkwell]

I would just tuck the chick under her asap (she'll warm and dry it on her own if she accepts it) and keep an eye on her for a while

 

[kaybiegirl]

I would just tuck the chick under her asap (she'll warm and dry it on her own if she accepts it) and keep an eye on her for a while

Thank you!

 

[kaybiegirl]

Well, they’ve been together for about 30 minutes now, and the newest chick just tucked itself under Mama and is hanging out under there. I took the chick for a moment to make sure it dipped its beak in the water bowl, and Mama was definitely on alert and walking towards me.