I had ordered some hatching eggs and had planned on incubating them but as luck would have it I have and 2 hen go broody just in time. YEA!
The first hen is a Belgian D'uccle and actually she has hatched one before so I am not so worried about her and the second is a novice Blue Copper Marans, she is a determined little thing though so we are going to go for it.
They are in separate runs with their flock mates, and each will be getting 4 eggs. The first hen is in a fenced area of the run just so as not to be bothered. The second hen has decided that she only wanted to brood in an elevated nest box and WILL NOT relocate.
This is fine with me I guess I will just move her after the chicks hatch?
My main question is should I wait until evening to place the fertile eggs under them? they are now sitting on golf balls for encouragement until the Hatching eggs arrived. Or can I place them at any time?
Also, if one of the hens decides to give up is it possible to just move the eggs to a back up incubator and have them hatch?
I am home all the time so they wouldn't be alone long.
I guess I am just nervous, these are Jubilee Orpington and Chocolate Orpington eggs so I do have a little $ invested.
I have hatched in an incubator before but I have chosen to go the Broody route because it will be easier to integrate the chicks into their respective flocks.
Any Thoughts?
Thanks in advance,
MyShunshyn
The first hen is a Belgian D'uccle and actually she has hatched one before so I am not so worried about her and the second is a novice Blue Copper Marans, she is a determined little thing though so we are going to go for it.
They are in separate runs with their flock mates, and each will be getting 4 eggs. The first hen is in a fenced area of the run just so as not to be bothered. The second hen has decided that she only wanted to brood in an elevated nest box and WILL NOT relocate.
This is fine with me I guess I will just move her after the chicks hatch?
My main question is should I wait until evening to place the fertile eggs under them? they are now sitting on golf balls for encouragement until the Hatching eggs arrived. Or can I place them at any time?
Also, if one of the hens decides to give up is it possible to just move the eggs to a back up incubator and have them hatch?
I am home all the time so they wouldn't be alone long.
I guess I am just nervous, these are Jubilee Orpington and Chocolate Orpington eggs so I do have a little $ invested.
I have hatched in an incubator before but I have chosen to go the Broody route because it will be easier to integrate the chicks into their respective flocks.
Any Thoughts?
Thanks in advance,
MyShunshyn