When is it too late to give a broody eggs?

[Anna-MN]

One of my BCM hens went broody about a week ago and I keep taking eggs from her since I don't have a rooster. If I were to give her some fertilized eggs on Monday, do you think she would sit on them until they hatched? Or is it too late? Thanks in advance!

 

[Judy]

I would guess it will probably work fine, at least if she is firmly broody. They certainly don't automatically quit at 3 weeks. Actually, it's the simplest way to dela with a broody, IMO.

 

[farnorth]

Yes you should be fine. I had 2 broodies this spring and both stayed put for 6 weeks.

the first one sat on golf balls for 3 weeks while I tried in vain to find fertile eggs. I got some from a local person. After 2 more weeks it became apparent that they eggs were not developing. I switched her back to sitting on golf balls. It took me another week to find day old chicks to give her. I think she was broody for 6 weeks plus 2 days at that point. She took care of her chicks for 5 and a half weeks.

the next one sat for 3 weeks on golf balls while I got a rooster and waited for the other girls eggs to get fertilized. Then she sat for 3 more weeks and hatched the eggs for me. Her total time being broody was at least 6 weeks.

So starting your hen with fertile eggs after a week or even 2 of being broody should be just fine.

 

[mmclaughlin]

I have my 1st broody and she sat for over a week so I decided to get some fertile eggs(i don't have a roo) for her to hatch I'm hoping that after another week sitting on eggs that they are developing cause she's one determined girl!!
I hope you have luck hatching !! I find this so exciting! I can't wait for the big day!
does anyone know if it's really 21 days or "about" 21 days??
I need to stop worrying and let nature do its thing!!
good luck keep us posted on her progress

 

[Anna-MN]

Thank you everyone! I will be finding some eggs for her soon.

 

[Anna-MN]

I am picking up some fertile eggs today from a 4H girl for my broody.

 

[Anna-MN]

One of my chicks just hatched but it didn't absorb all of it's yolk and it died

Why would that happen?

 

[farnorth]

That usually means it hatched before it was ready. sometimes they can absorb the last bit of yolk after hatching.

 

[Anna-MN]

The chick was already dead when I found it. There is another one out there that the shell has a big hole in it but the chick is still in the membrane and it was drying out. I put a little distilled water on it to moisten it.