Can chicks hatched in incubator several days after hen hatched eggs be raised together?

Our take

Raising chicks alongside a broody hen can be a delightful adventure, but it comes with its own set of challenges—especially when timing is a bit wobbly! In your scenario, where two chicks hatched naturally, and several more are emerging from the incubator, you might be wondering if it’s safe to introduce these new fluffballs to Mama. Given that she’s already accepted one of the chicks from the incubator, it sounds promising. Since they’re all in a secure Eglu tractor within a larger enclosure, you have a safe environment for integration. Just remember, Mama may need some time to adjust to her new feathered friends, so keep an eye on her interactions as they all settle into this cluck-tastic family dynamic!

So hen went broody and stole 18 eggs to sit on. After 3 weeks, 2 hatched quickly and naturally, one additional did not survive. At that point Mama abandoned the nest for a few hours and…went for margaritas and sushi I guess. We moved the other eggs into an incubator, and are learning as we go.

Mama returned and is taking care of her two little Roos, and is not rejecting ( but not particularly attentive to) the little girl that fought for almost 36 hours to hatch in the incubator. Now two days later, another little girl has hatched, and another egg is rolling around. Is it safe to place these new chicks with Mama?

Details: Mama and chicks are in an Eglu tractor inside a large chicken enclosure, so chicks are safe from the rest of the flock. They are Bielefelders

submitted by /u/Internal-Ring-1577
[link] [comments]

Read on the original site

Open the publisher's page for the full experience

View original article →

Tagged with

#chicken eggs#chicken breeds#chicken behavior#chicken myths#chicken anatomy#chicks#incubator#hen#hatched#broody#eggs#Mama#Eglu#tractor#Bielefelders#chicken enclosure#flock#natural#survive#little girl