Eggs or chicks for broody hen?

[Eric R]

Is it better to give a broody hen chicks or eggs? I have a hen that just went broody and eggs in the incubator on day 11. Should lI et them hatch before giving them to her or just give her the eggs now?

 

[silkie10]

From what I've experienced and what I've seen Broodys usually turn out a lot better. the hatch rates are higher and they don't use electricity. They do the work for you! The only problem is they can sometimes break the eggs. How many times have you used your incubator? Did it turn out well? If the hatch rates are good with your bator and you're worried about her breaking the eggs then I'd leave them in there and give the chicks to her when they hatch

 

[chickens really]

I'd give her the incubator eggs. I do it all the time with great success. How many eggs do you have?

 

[Eric R]

20 after my last candling.

 

[Criticalicious]

Maybe just give her two or three as a test and see if she's a good broody

 

[cmom]

Maybe just give her two or three as a test and see if she's a good broody

I agree. I would give her 2/3 eggs to see if she is serious.

 

[Eric R]

Yeah I am going to check if she sleeps in the box again tonight. If she does then I assume she's ready. But I also need to first remove all other eggs and fake eggs from the other boxes as well all the curtains. I want her to know which box is hers and I'll need to see that she's going back to it each time . Don't want to risk her switching boxes on me.