Can I add incubating eggs to a broody hen?

DruT54 · Apr 7, 2016

I started incubating some eggs (and on day 8 they all had embryos) and a week later my little Cochin girl went broody. Is it possible to get her to finish incubating and/or raise them? Actually 1 of the eggs is hers and another is her sisters, but the rest belong to my Buff and Australorps (yes I like diversity in my coop)

sourland · Apr 7, 2016

If I am reading correctly she will be at day 14 of her brooding when the chicks hatch. If so she will probably be hormonally ready to accept them. Understand that about 24 to 36 hours after they hatch she will leave the nest with the chicks. Any eggs that were in her original clutch will have another week to go.

DruT54 · Apr 7, 2016

so those eggs will get abandoned? If so I won't do that. Thanks!

sourland · Apr 7, 2016

Yes, once she has chicks she will leave the nest to teach them about eating, drinking, and being chickens. Staggered hatches always cause problems.

AmyLynn2374 · Apr 7, 2016

Did the broody start sitting on eggs a week later, or are you asking since she is broody can you give her what's in the incubator?

Can I add incubating eggs to a broody hen?

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DruT54

In the Brooder

sourland

Broody Magician

DruT54

In the Brooder

sourland

Broody Magician

AmyLynn2374

Humidity Queen

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