Chook Me!

I just got baby chicks and I have had a hen can I put the chicks with that hen. will she take care of them ?

she is an egg layer but we take her eggs . would she think that they are hers? thanks. Can I also put hay in with the baby chicks?they are about 5 days old.

Public Comments

1. no hens or roosters or whatever you call them are not that stupid and the chicks fllow the first thing they see moving so no but the eggs probly she will accept them :)
2. Separate the pen where the hen is and put the chicks in one half of the pen and the hen in the other. If the hen seems interested in the chicks and she seems as if she wouldn't be aggressive towards them let them meet. If the hen seems as if she would like to kill them, take the chicks away quickly. Baby chicks sleep on hay, so it is OK if you put hay where they are. If you are planning to feed them it, they wont eat it. Give them soggy dog food or chicken feed.
3. She will probably do her level best to kill them. They are not hers and she will know it. It is best to keep baby chickens in a brooder untill they are fully feathered out. Since they are five days old they need to be in the brooder not in the pen with an old hen.
4. Also if you put them in a brooder and it is still cool where you are, you might need to put a light with them for warmth.