Can New Chicks Be Put in With Mature Laying Hens?

Helping mature laying hens to accept new chicks can be a challenge, but it's possible. Preparing the hens and supporting them during the adoption process increases the success of creating the new family.

  1. Preparation

    • Helping a hen accept new chicks is aided by providing a comfortable environment. Provide access to fresh air and sunlight, and supply fresh food and water daily. Keep the area as clean as possible without disturbing the hen and the adopted brood. Providing a separate room or building is ideal for a hen taking on new chicks. For floor covering, use pine shavings, rice hulls, peanut shells and ground corncobs.

    Introduction

    • To help the hen accept the new chicks, place golf balls or plastic Easter eggs in the nesting area. The staff at Cheney Feed &Tack in Cheney, Washington, note that the hen might only need one night to get used to the "eggs" before you replace them with the new chicks. Move the new chicks under the hen at night, when the hen is quiet. Some breeds, such as Bantams, are more active at night and might take longer to settle with the new chicks.

    Monitor

    • Watch the progress of the hen and new chicks. Most of the time, the hen will immediately accept the new chicks by staying with them and letting them nest under her during the day and night. In the rare occasion that a hen has not accepted one or more of the new chicks within a day, place the new chicks under a different hen at night.