Bator VS Broody

[cubalaya]

incubator

 

[purpletree23]

Absolutly go with the broodie. She will do everything! I love broodies. The only recommendation I would have would to have chick grit accessible to the babies from day 1. Mom will feed them everything and you want to make sure they can digest it.

Get the babies starter crumbles and keep the layer pellets out of their reach. The increased calcium in the layer pellets can damage their kidneys.

 

[SmartyChick]

broody, not only less work, but watching mom and chicks is priceless.

 

[chickensnax]

I Agree go with the broody. I raised my first two fluff balls this october with a broody and it was so much fun watching her raise and take care of her babies teaching them all they needed to know. They were even free ranged with the rest of the flock and they did great. Mom protected them from the other bigger hens and even chased off a kitty or two when they were to close. No worrying about a bator or heat lamp, way more natural .

 

[GraceAK]

I think that if I had a broody, I would go with that as a method of incubation. As it is, the incubator in my bedroom sounds like an alien abduction in progress however it's still worth it for chicks.
I should get a silkie next time I have a chance.... sigh.

Also, make sure that you don't let the chicks eat the layer feed! And.... some people make a little structure that only the chicks can enter to get at their food, so that other chickens can't eat it. That might help.
Thirdly! Hens-raised chicks aren't as disease prone as brooder chicks, and feather out faster (if raised outside with the rest of the flock)! They are just hardier!

Broodies all the way!

 

[djmooney]

i have had hens for 4 years know and only 1 broody..... you guys are lucky

 

[walkswithdog]

Both the incubator for eggs of idiot broodies and broodies for power outtages and the cuteness factor. I hatch as well in the incubator as my hens do, and I've saved a lot of chickens-with-brainfart eggs over time. And broodies have saved incubated eggs in power outtages. Since the genetics stay the same, no you don't get more or fewer deformed chicks when incubating unless you're incompetent at it or have bad equipment. Then again, broodies can be incompetent. It evens out.

A good experienced broody who rears well is both adorable and priceless. Saving a clutch of eggs with an incubator, that you would have lost otherwise, also priceless.

And broodies stomp eggs sometimes, crack them too early or manage to really do them damage just about at hatch time and usually in response to some chicks having already hatched. I can save those, if I have an incubator.

Then there's the disappearing chicken (predators) that having an incubator helps with. A fox may steal a chicken but it's not going to take the incubator.

I like the whole be prepared for anything, thing.

 

[Barred Rocks forever]

ive never used broodys but i bet there a better choice i would love some broodys but i think my flock is to big for silkys i have 2 cochins but none of them have ever gone broody

what other breeds are really good broodys ?