Will Mama Hen Adopt?

[Amiloo928]

Hello BYC friends!

I’ve read on here of people sneaking baby chicks under a broody hen at night and the mama adopting the babies. I currently have a Mama who hatched two chicks about three weeks ago. I have 8 eggs in the bator with two weeks to go. So my question is, will I be able to sneak brand new chicks under Mama at night if her current chicks will be 5 weeks old when the eggs hatch?

 

[1cock2hens]

probably not. the only really successful way of doing the adoption thing is putting day old chicks under a still broody hen not a hen already raising young. most other scenarios are unfortunately going to fail 99% of the time. you would have to have a special hen

 

[Amiloo928]

probably not. the only really successful way of doing the adoption thing is putting day old chicks under a still broody hen not a hen already raising young. most other scenarios are unfortunately going to fail 99% of the time. you would have to have a special hen

Good to know, thank you very much.

 

[EggSighted4Life]

Not even close... she will peck the new ones and be close to ready to booting the current babes by then.

Don't try it.

Happy hatching!

 

[Amiloo928]

Not even close... she will peck the new ones and be close to ready to booting the current babes by then.

Don't try it.

Happy hatching!

Thank you for the insight! My wife and I decided to set up the brooder inside for a while and not chance it with Mama Hen.