Broody Hen Thread!

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ocap said:
should I let my silkies lay their own eggs and go broody from that or encourage with fake eggs, (the pullets were hatched in early June).
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I haven't had the hatching experience that other folks have with incubators where they can set batches of 20+ eggs at a time.. but what I have read about choice of hatching eggs is that the best meet some basic requirements... uniform shell, reasonably clean when collected, and time after time I have seen it recommended to not use pullet eggs. I guess it is felt that their reproductive system is still 'settling down' so viability is reduced for a while. I know I use eggs from my older hens when choosing hatching egg supply.

Your hens are young yet, and though they may go broody soon I wouldn't try to rush it... If they have been laying for a couple of months then you are probably OK to start saving some hatching eggs. Just collect 3 or 4 a day, date them and set them fat side up in a cardboard egg carton in a cool location, tip one end up and inch or two and switch which way it is tipped twice a day. Keep a dozen this way and after you have the carton full just pull the oldest dated and replace with new ones each day. Then you will always be ready for when someone does sit.
You can then use the older marked eggs as you normally would, since they have been kept for only a few days they are fine to go into the fridge for use as you remove them from the 'hatching box'.
 
kimmerjo said:
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I am soooooo excited! Our chicks are only due Friday but our first little one is here!!!!! Yay!!! Still all wet, so he/she must have hatched just now! Can't wait to meet the rest!!
 
Today is the start of day 20 for my broody silkie on 6 eggs and so far two peeps and I can hear them chirping! This is mine and her first hatch so fingers crossed!!
 
korlia said:
I am soooooo excited! Our chicks are only due Friday but our first little one is here!!!!! Yay!!! Still all wet, so he/she must have hatched just now! Can't wait to meet the rest!!
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AliceGee said:
Today is the start of day 20 for my broody silkie on 6 eggs and so far two peeps and I can hear them chirping! This is mine and her first hatch so fingers crossed!!
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Congrats! Will be waiting to see some fluffy butt pics!! I have found with broody hens they often hatch a day early, though it certainly isn't all of the time... it is so hard to have to wait to see them because they broody has them all tucked in for the first day or so...
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Than
fisherlady said:
Congrats! Will be waiting to see some fluffy butt pics!!  I have found with broody hens they often hatch a day early, though it certainly isn't all of the time...  it is so hard to have to wait to see them because they broody has them all tucked in for the first day or so...:barnie
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Thanks!! I'll definitely get some pics up if all goes well and I get some little fluff balls! Yeah it's hard to know what's going on under there but I'll give her a few days then sneak a peak!
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