There are two methods that MAY work... although they are risky with that much difference in age between the chicks. Still, I successfully added a couple of chicks that were about five days younger than the others using what I like to call the "two for one" method. A kid thought this one up and his mother posted it on the forum a long time ago. One bright kid! Put the two orphaned chicks in a bucket (not a clear one) or similar container. Kidnap the hen's current babies and add them to the bucket. (A butterfly net works great for catching them.) The stolen chicks will set up a frantic peeping once they cannot see Mama... and Mama will fuss and scold and generally work herself up into a tizzy. The more upset she is, the better. When you get to the point when it looks like Mama's eyeballs will pop out of her head, lower the bucket and let out all four chicks. Typically Mama will be confused and know something is different, but will not be able to figure out what, since hens cannot count. And she is so relieved to have her babies back that she doesn't much care and accepts them all. But be ready to pull the younger chicks out if she starts hurting them. I've done this a few times and never had it fail. Hens are birdbrains. I THINK they can tell the difference between "one" and "more than one"... but not the difference between two and three or four. The more the chicks look alike, the better chance of success. The other method is the tried and true "wait until dark" method. You simply sneak them under her with her own when she is asleep and she assumes they are all hers when she wakes up. If it doesn't work, however, she may harm or kill the newcomers unless you are on the spot early to check on them. Forget the Vicks or other scent confusers. Chickens don't use scent to identify their young. They rely on sound and sight and situation. "They are under my wings so they must be mine." Good luck! And please post an update so we know how it turns out!

kendra2, Anything white will help to deflect the sun/heat, I am sure white paint will help. katiedidcottage made a good point about paint fume. Paint is more permanent, I would also worry about the white paint deflect the sum/heat in the early spring when the BB need warmth. The umbrella and white paper shield came down last night, we had a nice thunderstorm, the weather cooled down. katiedidcottage, white styrofoam ice chest lid sounds like a good idea. Speaking of "not pretty", you can't beat my hot pink beach umbrella on top of the bird house! Good thing the umbrella was only up for one day:-)

Hi Michelle My trap is like the Krueger trap but more simple just buy garden netting its in a roll. The net has holes about 1 inch the snakes cannot climb up pass the holes with out getting trapped. Use wire ties and tie onto post just bunch up the netting and the snake will go into one hole then another then will become trapped. (easy and cheap) You will love the numbers of bluebirds you will save. very popular with Purple Martin landlords in southern states. If this trap did not work for me i would have called it quits but i am more confident i can save bluebirds and not feed them to the local snake population. My bluebird population has declined some because of the snakes not any more. Ray

This is from the California Heritage Cookbook, 1976. I bought this book when it was published & have used it so much the spine cover is falling off. CHICKEN IMPERIAL Serves 8 2 c. dry bread crumbs 1/4 c. minced fresh parsley 1 clove garlic, minced 1 1/2 tsp salt 1/8 tsp. pepper 1 c. butter, melted 1 Tbsp. Dijon mustard 1 tsp Worcestershire sauce 8 chicken breasts, boned Combine the bread crumbs, minced parsley, garlic, salt & pepper in a pie plate or other dish that will hold a piece of chicken to roll. Mix together the melted butter, mustard & Worcestershire, also in a pie plate. Dip the chicken pieces first into the butter mixture, then roll in the crumb mixture, coating all sides. Place the pieces in a foil-lined shallow baking pan, just large enough to hold the pieces comfortably. Drizzle the remaining butter mixture over the chicken. Bake uncovered in a 350 degreee oven about 1 hour or until the juices run clear when pierced by a fork.