Broody hen...should I hatch eggs?

[cluckmecoop7]

Hi everyone,

I have 2 other threads about my broody hen about breaking her...I've not been able to yet, so I was wondering if there is still time to stick a few fertilized eggs under her. I thought maybe I could hatch two chicks, raise them until 8-12 weeks, then sell them. Would this work? I have a friend that might be able to give be a few fertile eggs.

Thanks!

-Clucky

P.S.
Is it to close to winter?

 

[john_wrightson2003]

Oh yea, send it! Hatch them things! The hen will take care of the temp and humidity no matter how cold or hot it is.

 

[EggWalrus]

I'd put about 10 eggs under her. There no guarantees of how many will hatch. "Never count your chickens before they hatch"

You might even get lucky and get a little rooster so you can have your own fertilized eggs!
Woo Hoo!

 

[Shadrach]

Hi everyone,

I have 2 other threads about my broody hen about breaking her...I've not been able to yet, so I was wondering if there is still time to stick a few fertilized eggs under her. I thought maybe I could hatch two chicks, raise them until 8-12 weeks, then sell them. Would this work? I have a friend that might be able to give be a few fertile eggs.

Thanks!

-Clucky

P.S.
Is it to close to winter?

How long has she been broody for?
Will this be the first time this hen hatches eggs?
What sort of temperatures do you get normally in November?
If you do decide to give her some fertile eggs to hatch I would limit the number to six.
Statistically speaking if she hatches all six then three are likely to be male. What would you do with those?

 

[Mvan42]

WELLLLL, yes you should hatch them but the above questions are something to think about.

CHICKEN MATH

 

[cluckmecoop7]

How long has she been broody for?
Will this be the first time this hen hatches eggs?
What sort of temperatures do you get normally in November?
If you do decide to give her some fertile eggs to hatch I would limit the number to six.
Statistically speaking if she hatches all six then three are likely to be male. What would you do with those?

How long has she been broody for?
Well, probably about 2 weeks.

Will this be the first time this hen hatches eggs?
Yes. She's actually my first broody hen.

What sort of temperatures do you get nomally in November?
Its the beginning of October right now, but if you want to know about November, the low temp is in the mid twenties. BTW, I could always make a brooder in my basement if needed.

 

[cluckmecoop7]

WELLLLL, yes you should hatch them but the above questions are something to think about.

CHICKEN MATH

Yeah, chicken math!

 

[cluckmecoop7]

Thanks everyone!
I'm planning to put 3 or 4 eggs under her.

 

[HenOnAJuneBug]

Thanks everyone!
I'm planning to put 3 or 4 eggs under her.

Make sure you mark them with a permanent marker in case other hens lay in her nest.

 

[Shadrach]

How long has she been broody for?
Well, probably about 2 weeks.

Will this be the first time this hen hatches eggs?
Yes. She's actually my first broody hen.

What sort of temperatures do you get nomally in November?
Its the beginning of October right now, but if you want to know about November, the low temp is in the mid twenties. BTW, I could always make a brooder in my basement if needed.

I probably wouldn't. Too many reasons to go into.
This doesn't mean you shouldn't and if you are prepared to have an indoor broody then provided your hen doesn't abandon the new nest when you move her (quite likely) then if you did it tomorrow I don't see any more then the usual problems.
In a weeks time that would mean a five week sit minimum for a broody and that's a week over my limit.