Bait and switch?

[Driley62]

So as the days progress on my broody hen(now past the anticipated hatch day) she continues to lose eggs to rot. Not one has hatched and I know I have a fertile(or did...he's just over a year old) rooster. Does anyone think I can pull off a bait and switch? Give her eggs to sit on. If they hatch great if not oh well. But incubate eggs inside in an attempt that this happens again in the dark of night take out eggs and give her hatched chicks? Will that work?

This phase she started with 12 eggs and now on day 22/23 has 2 left out of the 12 and the other 12 rotted or quit. She's still sitting on the two eggs. Makes me think one or both are live...but she didn't kick out any if the others through the process.

I've also noticed that she has been spending more time off nest. Off 2 or 3 times in a day at longer than normal increments.

 

[JacinLarkwell]

She should not be made to wait another 3 weeks. If you want her to have chicks, best to get newborns and just try to foster them to her

 

[Driley62]

She should not be made to wait another 3 weeks. If you want her to have chicks, best to get newborns and just try to foster them to her

I'd love to but don't know anyone near us that has chicks. Nor last i had seen any at any local stores.

 

[JacinLarkwell]

Then I wouldn't bother. It's not healthy to make her sit 6 weeks, and she's likely to just get off halfway through on her own

 

[Driley62]

Then I wouldn't bother. It's not healthy to make her sit 6 weeks, and she's likely to just get off halfway through on her own

You mean halfway through the next attempt?

 

[Driley62]

Then I wouldn't bother. It's not healthy to make her sit 6 weeks, and she's likely to just get off halfway through on her own

I honestly don't want to make her sit another 3 weeks but taking the eggs doesn't work. I tried that the first time in the spring when it was too cold by the anticipated hatch date.

 

[JacinLarkwell]

You mean halfway through the next attempt?

Yes

I honestly don't want to make her sit another 3 weeks but taking the eggs doesn't work. I tried that the first time in the spring when it was too cold by the anticipated hatch date.

Then you'll have to break her broodiness

 

[Kellyjenny]

She will get very sick if she sits on another batch of eggs.

 

[Kellyjenny]

Are you near a tractor supply they have chicks there.

 

[Driley62]

Are you near a tractor supply they have chicks there.

I do. But last I was there they didn't have any.