Can I get hatching eggs for a broody?

[Annalyse]

I have one silkie in a standard flock. The rooster doesn’t mate her and is on the aggressive side. I want her to hatch silkies and they will be separated into a different coop. She’s my only hen that goes broody and she has been going broody like five times in a month lol. If I buy hatching eggs can I just give them to her? How would I keep them incubated by the time they get to her? I’ve never hatched nor let them hatch eggs.

 

[SilverBirds]

You can buy fertile eggs and slip them under her. I doubt she'd notice the difference. You don't have to incubate them before you give them to her.

 

[AmeraucanaHank]

yes! you certainly can give her hatching eggs(I wouldn't buy too expensive eggs if she never hatched any before.

 

[AmeraucanaHank]

You don't have to incubate them before you give them to her.

2x

 

[Yardmom]

Yes you can put any fertile eggs under a broody hen. While waiting for the eggs she should be in the place you want the chicks to hatch with fake or disposal eggs under her. If the place you want her to hatch is different than where she is now she will need a cage or similar idea to keep her from returning to the original nest site. All eggs that are to be hatched should to be placed under her at the same time. Eggs that are stored at room temperature can be up to two weeks old before they need to be incubated or placed under a broody.

 

[Annalyse]

yes! you certainly can give her hatching eggs(I wouldn't buy too expensive eggs if she never hatched any before.

I’m thinking just two eggs. Idk it’ll I’ll be able to just buy two but is that enough for a first time hatch.

 

[Annalyse]

Yes you can put any fertile eggs under a broody hen. While waiting for the eggs she should be in the place you want the chicks to hatch with fake or disposal eggs under her. If the place you want her to hatch is different than where she is now she will need a cage or similar idea to keep her from returning to the original nest site. All eggs that are to be hatched should to be placed under her at the same time. Eggs that are stored at room temperature can be up to two weeks old before they need to be incubated or placed under a broody.

If they hatch. Should I bring them inside or leave them with her? Like as soon as they put out of the egg should I let them be.

 

[Yardmom]

You might want to put more than 2 eggs. If one of the eggs turns out to be infertile or something you could end up with a lone chick. Chicks do much better with at least one buddy. Silkies make great mothers. I personally would leave the chicks with her. First time broodies do just fine. Hatching and raising chicks is an instinct not a learned behavior.

 

[SilverBirds]

You can do either one. Silkies tend to be really good mothers. If you don't have the space to separate mom and babies you can raise them indoors like any other chicks. I'd also get maybe 4-5 eggs. Eggs can be damaged or infertile when shipped so better safe the sorry.

 

[Annalyse]

You might want to put more than 2 eggs. If one of the eggs turns out to be infertile or something you could end up with a lone chick. Chicks do much better with at least one buddy. Silkies make great mothers. I personally would leave the chicks with her. First time broodies do just fine. Hatching and raising chicks is an instinct not a learned behavior.

Is it better to give her fertile eggs or slip baby chicks under her. From my experience with her I feel like she’d take either even if I just showed them to her. Lol. She’s a very desperate hen when it comes to being broody. But idk cause she’s never actually seen a chick in her life. She’s two years.