incubated eggs / broody hen.. can they mix?

[Smithyard Farm]

I have some shipped eggs in the bator that really look like they are going to need help hatching.. I initially wanted to let my broody hen, Henrietta, who is more broody than not, hatch them.. but am concerned about the air cells.

can I hatch tem in the bator and then sneak them under her? or dos she have to "feel" the whole process to think they are hers?

 

[JanO]

There's no reason why you can't sneak chicks under her. However you should do it as soon as they are dry, and at night when she's sleeping. That way they don't need to eat immediately since hens tend to keep them in the nest the first couple of days. It's still a bit of a crap shoot whether or not she'll accept them, but in most cases they do.