To make a long story short, I have a hen who hatched an egg. Through me being totally dumb about integrating her and the chick with the rest of the flock, the chick (about 2 weeks old) was killed by another chicken.
The hen was an excellent mother---very protective and nurturing. I feel horrible for the chick and I feel horrible for the hen because she seemed like she was loving motherhood and now that's gone.
My question is: would it be at all likely that she would "adopt" two or three chicks if I were to purchase them for her? My instinct is that the answer is no or that there would be a strong likelihood that she would reject them, but I'd be interested in thoughts. Obviously the longer time goes by, the less "mom-ish" she'll be. Her chick was killed yesterday. I just want to do what is best for her and I'm genuinely just curious. I figure it's probably just best to try again the next time she goes broody, whenever that is.
Thoughts/experiences?
The hen was an excellent mother---very protective and nurturing. I feel horrible for the chick and I feel horrible for the hen because she seemed like she was loving motherhood and now that's gone.
My question is: would it be at all likely that she would "adopt" two or three chicks if I were to purchase them for her? My instinct is that the answer is no or that there would be a strong likelihood that she would reject them, but I'd be interested in thoughts. Obviously the longer time goes by, the less "mom-ish" she'll be. Her chick was killed yesterday. I just want to do what is best for her and I'm genuinely just curious. I figure it's probably just best to try again the next time she goes broody, whenever that is.
Thoughts/experiences?