Will Brooding hen adopt and protect 1 month old chicks?

[cyclediscyple]

I have only one coop with an adjoining run. Mature hens free range during the day but have access to nesting boxes in coop. No roosters. Hens have killed a 4 month old chick before. Is there any way to introduce these chicks to the flock without building a separate coop? Will my brooding hen protect and adopt them?

 

[NewToFarming]

I would say no she won't because they are pretty old but if they were a few days or so, I would say she would. It really depends on the hen on how she will react. You could try but be right there just in case.
You could maybe put the chicks in like a large dog cage in the coop, that way the older hens will see them but can't get at them until the chicks are older and you are sure the hens won't hurt them.