BackYard Chickens › BYC Forum › Raising BackYard Chickens › Incubating & Hatching Eggs › Two batches - one broody
New Posts  All Forums:Forum Nav:

Two batches - one broody

post #1 of 3
4/14/12 at 6:39pm
Thread Starter 

Hi - received some eggs by mail and they are now seven and nine days into incubation. Eight are under a broody - I count at least five viable under her, and eight are in the incubator, although I'm unsure of the number there.  (Need a stronger light, plus I'm not too good at that.  It never does look like the pictures, does it?) I imagine that I will lose some from each batch.  Being that they are due to hatch two days apart (on the 26 and 28 of this month) is it feasible to put all of the viable eggs from both batches under the hen once I determine viability at a later date?  (Let's assume not more than twelve are viable by, say, day 14.)

 

I have had hatchlings attack their younger siblings as they hatched out - does this happen with a broody, or does she keep them in line?  If there is any question, I will keep the later batch in the bator as they are now.  

 

Thanks all!

I think true happiness can only be found in the wanton indulgence of animals  -  Hobbes

Until one has loved an animal, part of their soul remains unawakened.
Reply
I think true happiness can only be found in the wanton indulgence of animals  -  Hobbes

Until one has loved an animal, part of their soul remains unawakened.
Reply

Featured Stories on BackYard Chickens

The Basics Of Raising Chickens - Raising Chickens 101
Uncle Sam Expects You To Keep Hens and Raise Chickens!!
Raising Chickens on a Shoestring
post #2 of 3
4/15/12 at 6:37am
I'd keep then separate. Once the first chicks she hatches need to eat and drink, she'll take them off the nest and abandon the unhatched eggs.

It is very possible you can give her the later hatchers and she will raise them with the others. You are dealing with living animals so you can never be sure how that will work out, but it is possible. I'd try it.

Good luck!!!
Freedom is not the right to do what we want, but what we ought....Abraham Lincoln (Freedom carries responsibility)

The spirit of liberty is the spirit which is not too sure that it is right.....Judge Learned Hand  (The more sure your are that your way is the only right way, the more likely you are wrong.)
Reply
Freedom is not the right to do what we want, but what we ought....Abraham Lincoln (Freedom carries responsibility)

The spirit of liberty is the spirit which is not too sure that it is right.....Judge Learned Hand  (The more sure your are that your way is the only right way, the more likely you are wrong.)
Reply
post #3 of 3
4/16/12 at 12:33am
Thread Starter 

Thank you!  I had a feeling that might be the case. She's in a very big guinea pig cage inside room right now, so she wouldn't be going out.  It's just really nice having the broody do all the work.  I'm sure the hatch rate is much better, as well.

 

Thanks again!

I think true happiness can only be found in the wanton indulgence of animals  -  Hobbes

Until one has loved an animal, part of their soul remains unawakened.
Reply
I think true happiness can only be found in the wanton indulgence of animals  -  Hobbes

Until one has loved an animal, part of their soul remains unawakened.
Reply
New Posts  All Forums:Forum Nav:
  Return Home
  Back to Forum: Incubating & Hatching Eggs

Featured Stories on BackYard Chickens

The Basics Of Raising Chickens - Raising Chickens 101
Uncle Sam Expects You To Keep Hens and Raise Chickens!!
Raising Chickens on a Shoestring
BackYard Chickens › BYC Forum › Raising BackYard Chickens › Incubating & Hatching Eggs › Two batches - one broody