Broody Question

[HorseFeathers]

Our Australorp just went broody and we slipped the Welsummer and Delaware eggs we had ordered underneath her. We also are getting some Blue Orpingtons, but they won't be here until Tuesday. Will the eggs hatch at different times (I'm guessing yes.) Should we be concerned that once some chicks have hatched she won't sit on the remaining eggs any more?
Sorry if these are silly questions, we've never had a broody before!

 

[loverOFchickens]

Yes they will hatch later.
I am guessing that it kinda depends on the hen.
Anybody else know?

 

[yellowfinns]

I gave hatching eggs to two broodies at the same time. One hatched all her eggs on Monday. The other's started hatching Tuesday and finished Wednesday. #2 didn't get off her nest until all her babies hatched, but #1 took #2's hatched babies to eat and drink for her until she got up.

 

[suebee]

Well, in my experience, and I hatch with broody silkies...the MOTHER of all broody's....she will probably get off the nest, leave the unhatched eggs and tend to the babies. I have had this happen so many times. If you are lucky enough to have another broody then wonderful. If not...cross your fingers or have an incubator ready.

I'll be very curious about what happens. Sending good vibes your way!

 

[Chickfever]

I tried this with my little white hen. After 3 of her eggs hatched, she got up and left the other 5. I put them in the incubator and 3 more of them hatched. If you try it, be sure to watch her starting around day 19 or 20 and have your incubator warmed up just in case. That way you can see if she leaves any eggs and you can stick them in your 'bator.

Good luck!

 

[Picco]

My hens walk off the nest after a few chicks hatch, abandoning the rest of the eggs. I always have the incubator on standby and place the unhatched eggs in there, after they hatch I place them under the hen after dark.

 

[Redsquirrel]

I have a broody on eggs (first time for me) and was wondering the same thing. I have read that in the "old farm days" people took the first chicks away till all the eggs were hatched, then gave the chicks back to the momma hen. Is this an option? Does that work? I don't have an incubator

 

[suebee]

I wouldn't do that red squirrel, If she does walk off, and no incubator, get a red heat lamp and keep the eggs warm enough to hatch. 100 degrees.

 

[RioLindoAz]

How many days apart are the new eggs and the eggs your broody already has?

The eggs will hatch at different times since the eggs under your broody have already started to develop.

Usually, a hen will stay on the nest 1-2 days after her chicks hatch and she'll be off the nest most of the time after that. But I had one hen that after 3 of her chicks hatched, (there were 12 unfertile ones left) she would take her chicks on short strolls then pop her self back on the nest to keep incubating her eggs even though her chicks were about 5 days old.

I would try putting thows eggs under her and see what happens.

 

[Redsquirrel]

Quote:
Ok, thanks for the advise.