Broody Hen Thread!

[Jessimom]

Hi, my silkie broodies just hatched the 7th egg. The white silkie has not tried to follow babies around, she just stays stuck to the next. The blue silkie has gotten up and followed the babies around and taken care of them. Can I sneak a few more of my eggs that are due to go into lockdown in 2 days, underneath the white hen? Or, now that all their babies have hatched will they stop brooding?

Thanks!! The last egg just hatched a few hours ago.

 

[Ruthannnall]

I have a banty that has gone broody. Can I put other eggs besides chicken eggs under her to hatch?

 

[Jessimom]

I have a banty that has gone broody. Can I put other eggs besides chicken eggs under her to hatch?

Like what?

 

[Ruthannnall]

Like what?  

I have quail, duck, and Turkey eggs

 

[Jessimom]

I have quail, duck, and Turkey eggs

I've seen people online that have hatched duck eggs under broody hens. I figure you can add them and your broody will let you know quickly if she will keep them or not. My broodies took turns rolling the eggs back and forth between them. But they kicked out the 1 that turned out to be infertile.

Quail eggs are so tiny, turkey so much bigger. Having such size disparity between the eggs might be difficult, but 1 type at a time would probably be ok.

Good luck!!

 

[Ruthannnall]

 I've seen people online that have hatched duck eggs under broody hens.  I figure you can add them and your broody will let you know quickly if she will keep them or not.  My broodies took turns rolling the eggs back and forth between them.  But they kicked out the 1 that turned out to be infertile.

Quail eggs are so tiny, turkey so much bigger.  Having such size disparity between the eggs might be difficult, but 1 type at a time would probably be ok.

Good luck!!

thanks. I will try one type at a time and see.

 

[Greg88]

Picture of my JO babies that hatched out from under my BO broody yesterday.
Still hoping for one more today out of the two remaining eggs.

 

[DinaKay]

@CristaFirst attempt was in the dark...I thought Ma was gonna peck/eat my hand/arm off and was scared for the chicks. Also she chose a nesting box in the corner on the floor for the big girls...kinda hard to reach behind her. All is well.

 

[Crista]

DinaKay glad to hear it is well. I m still waiting impatiently

. Gees they get feisty don't they. I m planning on wearing a heavy leather glove when I finally can't stand it and just have to look.

 

[DinaKay]

Good luck @Crista