When to put newly harched chicks with mom of 3 five day old chicks?

[newbiechick1]

We had a broody hen so we let her sit on a clutch. 3 hatched on day 21 and she stopped sitting. We removed the eggs and placed them in an incubator. 1 just hatched! When should I put the incubator chick with mommy hen and the other 3 babies?

 

[Teila]

Howdy newbiechick1

If I read this right, your mumma hen has babies that are now 5 days old and the little one you want to give her has only just hatched?

While I have had hatches here, I have had no experience with giving broody’s chicks or reintroducing chicks to a broody.

However, I think, if I have the timeline right, giving her a newly hatched chick when she has 5 day olds is fraught with danger. Not only will she maybe not accept the chick but the older chicks could also pick on it.

I am not sure that I would try it but hopefully someone with more experience will be able to chime in and offer some advice.

 

[junebuggena]

If it's been longer than 72 hours since the first hatch, your hen will not likely accept any new chicks.