Broody hen and quarantining eggs.

[keds45]

Hello! sorry if this has been covered elsewhere---there's just so much info here!

My Australorp hen has gone broody--I've moved her, isolated her to a cooler cage for a few days, given her cool baths and had her sit on ice packs, but she won't quit. It has just been about a week and a half though, so maybe I need to try for longer?

Anyhow, I was thinking of getting her a few eggs to hatch out. Is that safe? Can eggs spread anything to my little flock? I was just planing on leaving her in the side of the chicken ark she has taken over. Any input (or ideas of how to de-broodyize her) are appreciated!

 

[ChickenPeep]

I dont think eggs can spread disease easily, but im not sure.
Good luck!

 

[mstricer]

I put shipped eggs with my broodies they have better luck. My BCM was broodie all summer I think I got a total of 6 eggs from her and not another one since. I kept giving her eggs but nothing hatched, I think she is an obsessive turner, most of her eggs whether they were mine or shipped ended up with detached air cells, she finally hatched a silkie and she couldn't be more proud of herself. I did however separate her into an empty coop I have because baby was so tiny and I gave her 3 more of the silkies I hatched in incubator. Shes doing great.

 

[macdoogle2]

I had one broody hen that would not quit. Being broody that is. Finaly got her some fertile eggs from a local breeder. She hatched 3 out of 6. She is doing such a good job raising those chicks and it's so much fun to watch. Had another hen go broody. Placed her in a bird cage with a wire bottom for 2 days. Let her out and she re-joined the flock. Has not gone back to being broody so far. To answer your question. I think fertile eggs from elsewhere are safe as far as introducing bad things ti your flock. One of the hatchlings did have a scissor beak though, so genetics are another thing entirely.