Day 19 in incubator, Can I place the eggs back in the nest?

[Dale_FL]

I started an incubation cycle for 18 eggs, 1 clear and the remainder show promise. (Not counting before they hatch)
I was hoping to allow the hens to care for them post hatch. Is there any problem with placing the eggs back in the nest for the last couple of days to allow for normal hatch cycle with the hens?

 

[Pyxis]

Do you have a broody hen already trying to hatch eggs? One who is currently sitting in the nest 24/7 with only a short break each day to eat and drink? If not, you cannot put the eggs into a nest, because the hens will not care for the chicks. A hen must be actively broody to sit on eggs, hatch them, and care for the resulting chicks.

If you do have a broody hen, then yes, you can do this. Just swap her current eggs for the ones you have been incubating.

 

[Chicks 'n ducks]

Welcome to BYC!
Are your hens broody? If they aren't, they won't be accepting any chicks. If they are, you could try sneaking the eggs under her at night...

 

[Dale_FL]

Do you have a broody hen already trying to hatch eggs? One who is currently sitting in the nest 24/7 with only a short break each day to eat and drink? If not, you cannot put the eggs into a nest, because the hens will not care for the chicks. A hen must be actively broody to sit on eggs, hatch them, and care for the resulting chicks.

If you do have a broody hen, then yes, you can do this. Just swap her current eggs for the ones you have been incubating.

Thank you for your help. I unfortunately do not have a broody hen. So I guess it's my mess. LOL! do you have any advice to inspire brooding?

 

[Chicks 'n ducks]

at this late in the incubation, even if you got her to go broody she would be very confused when the eggs she is incubating hatch 2-3 days. Hens have an internal sense for the incubation time, so I'm not sure it would work.

 

[Pyxis]

Thank you for your help. I unfortunately do not have a broody hen. So I guess it's my mess. LOL! do you have any advice to inspire brooding?

Unfortunately you cannot make a hen to go broody. They go broody on their own time whenever their hormones tell them to, lol.

So, you better get a brooder set up for chicks ASAP A large plastic tote will work fine, and you can get a heat lamp at a feed store, along with a chick feeder and waterer and some chick feed, and you'll be ready for when they hatch.

 

[Dale_FL]

at this late in the incubation, even if you got her to go broody she would be very confused when the eggs she is incubating hatch 2-3 days. Hens have an internal sense for the incubation time, so I'm not sure it would work.

Thank you. I have determined that I will just play poppa hen and raise them to a point to introduce to the flock. But I don,t want the Roo to mate with it,s own offspring. I may need to find another to trade with for a season. Hate to loose my Roo. He is very gentle.