Maddly
In the Brooder
- Jul 12, 2015
- 54
- 8
- 33
We recently had two of our broody hens attempt to hatch a clutch of eggs with terrible results. Out of the 12 eggs we set under two hens, only one chick hatched. So now we have two eager mothers fighting over one tiny baby, and we would really like to add in at least one or two more chicks to make everyone happy. However, I've been calling around to local farms and no one had any newly hatched chicks I could pick up before Saturday. The baby is three days old now and already starting to get off the nest and explore. Wherever the chick goes, both mothers follow, abandoning the nest. They are already off of the nest most of the time and the hens are not acting broody, they are completely focused on the newborn.
So my question is, if I pick up new chicks when the original chick is 6 days old will it be too late? Will the mother hens reject these newcomers, or is there still a chance they might add them to the family?
Thanks in advance!!
So my question is, if I pick up new chicks when the original chick is 6 days old will it be too late? Will the mother hens reject these newcomers, or is there still a chance they might add them to the family?
Thanks in advance!!