From incubator to broody hen: when to transition

[ChxLadyCass]

That pretty much ends any broody plans.

Haha... for now! She is my FAVORITE hen of all time, so I just really want her offspring. Fingers crossed she chooses to brood this Spring!

But the feed store starts getting chicks in next week......
So here we go!!! This is how I ended up with over 30 chickens last summer.

 

[aart]

Haha... for now! She is my FAVORITE hen of all time, so I just really want her offspring. Fingers crossed she chooses to brood this Spring!

But the feed store starts getting chicks in next week......
So here we go!!! This is how I ended up with over 30 chickens last summer.

Well, just because she won't set, doesn't mean you can't hatch some of her eggs.....better get an incubator

 

[ChxLadyCass]

Well, just because she won't set, doesn't mean you can't hatch some of her eggs.....better get an incubator

I have one borrowed right now!! I can go look for this answer, but do you know how long an egg will remain fertilized? My roo is injured (has been for about 2 weeks) and I do not think he is getting busy, but I cracked an egg open at breakfast and to my surprise it looked fertilized!

 

[aart]

I can go look for this answer, but do you know how long an egg will remain fertilized?

Hen can hold sperm for up to 3-4 weeks...but the sooner the better.

 

[ChxLadyCass]

Hen can hold sperm for up to 3-4 weeks...but the sooner the better.

Thank you, always aart! I'll watch her this weekend and grab a couple fresh ones!

 

[aart]

Thank you, always aart! I'll watch her this weekend and grab a couple fresh ones!

Hopefully she's laying....even if she was just semi-broody she may have stopped?
I had 2 pullets go semi broody in late fall, they stopped laying for a few weeks.

 

[ChxLadyCass]

Hopefully she's laying....even if she was just semi-broody she may have stopped?
I had 2 pullets go semi broody in late fall, they stopped laying for a few weeks.

Yeah I will have to stalk her very closely. She won't lay when she get stressed, so there is that chance she won't be! Australorp pullets come in on Wednesday, so I think I will pick 2 of those up just in case