Will hen take in foster chicks?

[Sabbychick]

I have 1 hen that hatched 2 chicks on may 6th and 1 hen that hatched 9 chicks on may 3rd. They are now about a week old. My question is, am I able to/should I move a couple of the chicks from the hen that already has 9 chicks, to the hen that only had two chicks? Or should I just leave them alone? Their broody coops aren’t very big so I am just concerned for when the chicks get bigger and one of the mamas coops will be more crowded than the other. Until of course they are able to free range and be introduced to my other chickens in the bigger coop.

 

[sourland]

I'd leave things as they are. Hens imprint on their chicks rapidly, and most will regard others as competitors or 'strangers' and attack them. Some hens/some breeds are more forgiving - cochins and silkies come to mind.

 

[Sabbychick]

Thanks!