Finally a broody! Oh crud, we're going on vacation. Suggestions?

[Pharm Girl]

My SLW is broody for the second time. Sitting on the nest, plucking chest feathers. She's currently sitting on two plastic eggs. I have a farmer who can get me a few fertilized eggs for her, but I just did the math. If I slip eggs under her this weekend, they should be "due" March 19th. March 19th is the date we leave for spring break! I'm a first timer here, can I leave her on the plastic eggs for say, a week and a half, then slip real ones under her at that time so they should be hatching after we get back? Will this work? I really wanted her to hatch some new ones for me.
I have great house sitters that will care for her on the nest and tend to her needs, but I don't want to miss the hatch!

 

[NonnasBabies]

She should be fine if you wait a week. My girl was broody for about 2 weeks before I moved her and gave her eggs to sit on!!

 

[Pharm Girl]

I must be chicken crazy. This is so darned exciting, I actually had the thought, "Should we cancel our vacation?" Then I came back to reality. We are definitely going on vacation! I'm so excited to have babies again.

 

[NonnasBabies]

Quote:
Oh I hear ya! I have eggs in the bator that should be hatching right before I leave for a trip to a poultry expo. I'm just hoping and praying they all hatch before I leave!!

The 21st day is the day before I leave!!!

I didn't plan that very well!!

 

[Pharm Girl]

Oh Dear! Good luck with that. Timing is everything!

 

[NonnasBabies]

Quote:
Thanks and have a great vacation!!

 

[jenesis536]

I hope it works for you!

I know about the vacation thing - I was actually sort of relieved our President's Day trip didn't work out because I was worried about leaving my girls home alone for the weekend. I was thinking... maybe we can take them with us somehow...

 

[JAHVREM]

last summer i had a broody mutt hen, and buckeyes producing like crazy
on day 18 u pulled her eggs and put them in the bator, and slipped more under her.
she hatched those, but i quickly realized, she was a great hatcher, a horrid mom. she kept losing the chicks, so i had to take them away from her!!

 

[Pharm Girl]

I have a feeling this little lady will be a great Mother hen. If not, I'm prepared to raise the chicks myself if necessary. I still have the original brooder in the garage. In fact, I think I'll take her off the nest and let her set on the eggs in it. Let's hope this works!

 

[JAHVREM]

i have not had good luck moving a broody hen, she keeps returning to the original spot. be careful, they are very rigid in their "broodiness"