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best hatch rate: incubator or sitting hen?

post #1 of 21
12/6/09 at 12:03pm
Thread Starter 

Just wondering what your opinions and thoughts are on this:

Does an incubator do a better job at hatching fertilized eggs than a broody (sitting) hen?

Does a hen know the "right" time to turn eggs and keep them at the right temp to maximize chick development and successful hatching?

Seems to me that nature would know better than advanced technology and machines but I'd still love to hear what your experiences have been like!

smile

Handing out daily eye-candy and fun stuff at: www.technodoll.blogspot.com 
COME VISIT MY NEW CHICKEN BLOG!! www.technodoll6.blogspot.com !!
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Handing out daily eye-candy and fun stuff at: www.technodoll.blogspot.com 
COME VISIT MY NEW CHICKEN BLOG!! www.technodoll6.blogspot.com !!
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post #2 of 21
12/6/09 at 12:06pm
  • Mahonri
  • Platinum Poultry
  • Urban Desert Chicken Enthusiast

Hens have to do a better job.... but there isn't a hen as big as a Dickey or a Sportsman... tongue

But I hear Brinsea is coming out with a new "contact" incubator that simulates the hen

Keeper of 26 hens,  4 PW Leghorns, 1 leghorn mix, 1 FBCMarans, 1 Australorp, 1 Buff Orpington, 2 Mama Olive Eggers w/ 15 chicks each, 1 EE, a Barred Rock, a RIR, a CQ, 1 Delaware, 1 Black Star, a Splash Ameraucana, 3 W/BW Ameraucana pullets, 5 polish, 2 Welsummers and 41 juvies of various breeds. YIKES!  Time to SELL some chickens!

 

 

"With God, ALL things are possible."

                 ...

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Keeper of 26 hens,  4 PW Leghorns, 1 leghorn mix, 1 FBCMarans, 1 Australorp, 1 Buff Orpington, 2 Mama Olive Eggers w/ 15 chicks each, 1 EE, a Barred Rock, a RIR, a CQ, 1 Delaware, 1 Black Star, a Splash Ameraucana, 3 W/BW Ameraucana pullets, 5 polish, 2 Welsummers and 41 juvies of various breeds. YIKES!  Time to SELL some chickens!

 

 

"With God, ALL things are possible."

                 ...

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post #3 of 21
12/6/09 at 12:07pm

I think a unbothered hen would do best, under Ideal situation, but lots of things can throw them off.  If not seperated other hens may bully thier way onto the nest, then leave it unattended after laying thier egg, I have had hens leave nest then decide to go back to a different nest box, etc....   then again with incubator if you loose power, someone accidentally unplugs etc...

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post #4 of 21
12/6/09 at 12:13pm
Thread Starter 

Of course I mean if the hen was in an ideal situation (secluded, safe nest with warm ambient air, no distractions, plenty of food and water, etc).

I do see the advantages to an incubator (no waiting for hen to go broody, you can set many eggs, etc) but head-to-head comparison is what I'm curious about - thanks for your comments! smile

Handing out daily eye-candy and fun stuff at: www.technodoll.blogspot.com 
COME VISIT MY NEW CHICKEN BLOG!! www.technodoll6.blogspot.com !!
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Handing out daily eye-candy and fun stuff at: www.technodoll.blogspot.com 
COME VISIT MY NEW CHICKEN BLOG!! www.technodoll6.blogspot.com !!
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post #5 of 21
12/6/09 at 12:15pm
Quote:
Originally Posted by technodoll 

Of course I mean if the hen was in an ideal situation (secluded, safe nest with warm ambient air, no distractions, plenty of food and water, etc).

I do see the advantages to an incubator (no waiting for hen to go broody, you can set many eggs, etc) but head-to-head comparison is what I'm curious about - thanks for your comments! smile


Then I would vote for the hen.

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post #6 of 21
12/6/09 at 12:20pm

Hen. In the warm spring months, we get our highest hatch rates from undisturbed broody hens.

Cutting back on my playtime here for personal reasons.
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Cutting back on my playtime here for personal reasons.
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post #7 of 21
12/6/09 at 1:36pm
Quote:
Originally Posted by Mahonri 

But I hear Brinsea is coming out with a new "contact" incubator that simulates the hen


It's available now! http://www.brinsea.com/products/z6.htm And, it's only $3,995.00  celebrate

Visit my Blog!        Everyday Miracles & Mayhem at the Buck 'n Run Ranch    Have fun at Stella's Social Club here on BYC!

 

Sheriff of The Buck 'n Run Ranch, breeding Icelandic, Cream Legbar, &  Isbar chickens, fainting goats, emus, & donkeys on five acres in northern California.  Visit my website and check it all out! 

 

 

 

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Visit my Blog!        Everyday Miracles & Mayhem at the Buck 'n Run Ranch    Have fun at Stella's Social Club here on BYC!

 

Sheriff of The Buck 'n Run Ranch, breeding Icelandic, Cream Legbar, &  Isbar chickens, fainting goats, emus, & donkeys on five acres in northern California.  Visit my website and check it all out! 

 

 

 

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post #8 of 21
12/6/09 at 1:41pm
Thread Starter 

I think all I can ever afford is a broody hen, LOL! 

ep

Handing out daily eye-candy and fun stuff at: www.technodoll.blogspot.com 
COME VISIT MY NEW CHICKEN BLOG!! www.technodoll6.blogspot.com !!
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Handing out daily eye-candy and fun stuff at: www.technodoll.blogspot.com 
COME VISIT MY NEW CHICKEN BLOG!! www.technodoll6.blogspot.com !!
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post #9 of 21
12/6/09 at 3:24pm

OOps

Visit my Blog!        Everyday Miracles & Mayhem at the Buck 'n Run Ranch    Have fun at Stella's Social Club here on BYC!

 

Sheriff of The Buck 'n Run Ranch, breeding Icelandic, Cream Legbar, &  Isbar chickens, fainting goats, emus, & donkeys on five acres in northern California.  Visit my website and check it all out! 

 

 

 

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Visit my Blog!        Everyday Miracles & Mayhem at the Buck 'n Run Ranch    Have fun at Stella's Social Club here on BYC!

 

Sheriff of The Buck 'n Run Ranch, breeding Icelandic, Cream Legbar, &  Isbar chickens, fainting goats, emus, & donkeys on five acres in northern California.  Visit my website and check it all out! 

 

 

 

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post #10 of 21
12/6/09 at 9:27pm
Quote:
Originally Posted by technodoll 

I think all I can ever afford is a broody hen, LOL! 

ep


LOL then get yourself a few silkies hens and they will do the  job for you.  I have a 7 month old silkie thats sitting on a nest due to hatch at Christmas wee

Blue,  Splash,  Buff and  Red Silkies, Cuckoo Marans,  Ameraucanas/EEs,  Black Australorps   
So many chicks - so little room....
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Blue,  Splash,  Buff and  Red Silkies, Cuckoo Marans,  Ameraucanas/EEs,  Black Australorps   
So many chicks - so little room....
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