Broody as a hatcher?

[pfmoore17]

I have a wheaten marans that is super broody! She's been barking like mad for a week but really wants to be a mom. I am thinking of giving her 6 eggs that are in the bator and due in 7 days. Save the hassle of hatching and brooding them indoors.

Do you think this is cool, in light that the hen will hatch them in a week, rather than 21 days?

 

[Friend2Fowl]

You said she has been growling at you for a week? So she has been broody for a week, or she just started? If she just started, I wouldn't give her chicks so soon. Many hens have an internal clock that tells them when the eggs should hatch. Some don't, depends on the breed and bird. However, if you give eggs to her that are way earlier than when her eggs 'should' hatch, you would run the risk of her rejecting and killing the chicks. A few days' (maybe even 1 week) difference wouldn't be bad, but I wouldn't do a full 2 weeks early.

 

[RainbowBirds_of_a_Feather]

In my experience i have only done two different things.

1) feed store chicks

2) eggs (at day one gestation) with an exception to, read stories below


Is she isolated from the rest of the flock? Because that may cause eggs to be moved around and the babies may get scrambled in there. If you isolate her and give her dummy eggs to see if she will settle then that is a good sign. Plus, if she is brooding your hand when you place it under her (moving left to right) that is a great sign she will take the eggs. But seeing that the eggs are ready to hatch in seven days it may be risky because there is that slight possibility she may abandon the eggs.

I have tried something similar to that in the past. (related stories)

There was a feral hen that had a nest in the long grass, but I was unsure how long she has been sitting on them. I had a broody hen that wanted to be a mama too. So I switched the feral hens eggs with dummy eggs and placed her eggs under my broody hen. Then i caught the feral hen and placed her in a pen for quarantine with the dummy (she never took). Good thing I had that broody cause in less than a week she was a foster mom to about twelve babies. I also believe she a little over a week in broody mode. (so it may work but that is a risk you may have to try out)

My hen Gypsie took in store bought chicks the day I bought them and she was a mama by the next day. (mind you I put them under her when other hens had laid eggs in the same nest) I switched out the eggs and placed the babies in during the evening hours. I placed a wire covering over with the box they came in, for the scent. The next day i checked and she was in total mama mode. I placed food and water in there for about a week. I monitored every day prior to moving them to another cage for more space for the growing fluff puffs. Now the peeper are growing out their feathers and i have to say she is a wonderful mama. (But I have to say I have had bad out comes, as well as good. It is a risky thing to do from experience.)

But it is a decision you need to think about before you do, so please think about it long and hard. Because I would hate to hear that you lost your hatching eggs. I know other BYCers will help you out on this matter too. I hope I was a little help to your dilemma.

 

[pfmoore17]

thanks for the advise. I have a another wheatie hen that hatched 3 out of 4 eggs. I gave her so few because shes a pullet and first time around the block so to speak.

After a day or two, i replaced the 3 chicks (they were sold) for 12 chicks (3day-1 week old chicks) i just bought. She's loving it!

 

[RainbowBirds_of_a_Feather]

Quote:
I am glad you are enjoying your new babies!! Congrats!!!