Can a broody chicken hatch other fowl?

[minifarmkat]

We were hoping to incubate some turkey eggs this year, but our brooder is full of goose eggs. Can we use a broody hen to incubate the turkey eggs?

 

[foreverlearning]

Yes, they are great hatchers. Just don't allow a duck to hatch chickens because they will bring them in the water thus drowning. But a chicken can hatch out and raise any fowl with no problem (broody chicken freaks out when baby ducks go in water but she stays out of it).

 

[minifarmkat]

Thanks so much!
That is too funny. poor mama hen though, scared for her baby ducks lol.

 

[minifarmkat]

Would a hen be able to hatch a goose egg (with a little assistance to flip of course). I am only asking because I have a friend who would like to hatch her own goose egg, but does not have an incubator.

 

[foreverlearning]

Yes, up to 4 for a small hen, I prefer only 2 though. They surprisingly don't need help turning.

 

[minifarmkat]

Oh ok awesome! Do you need to mist the eggs or anything?

 

[foreverlearning]

Nope, she will take care of everything. Humidity is not as near exact for a good hatch from a broody anything as it is required with an incubator. The moisture from her skin does it all.

 

[minifarmkat]

Ok thanks, that's very helpful!

 

[RockerHen]

Yep, my silkies incubate and hatch turkey eggs (up to 4 per hen!) for me all the time. They don't seem like they would be able to cover them, but they really 'pancake' out and get the job done.

 

[minifarmkat]

Oh that's too funny. My mom picked one of her heftier columbian wyandottes.