Help me with "broody math"

[RedMoxie]

I have a BCM pullet who is about 9 months old and just started laying last month. She's gone broody already. I'd try to break her but I actually have a clutch of eggs in an incubator now so the timing is actually okay. The thing is, she's been broody for about 48 hours and the chicks are starting to pip now. What is the likelihood that she might be fine hatching and raising these eggs, even though she just went broody? Any risks I should think of? was thinking of setting the eggs under her while she sleeps, but I also don't want her to wake up and harm them before I get up in the am...

 

[RoosterML]

I have a BCM pullet who is about 9 months old and just started laying last month. She's gone broody already. I'd try to break her but I actually have a clutch of eggs in an incubator now so the timing is actually okay. The thing is, she's been broody for about 48 hours and the chicks are starting to pip now. What is the likelihood that she might be fine hatching and raising these eggs, even though she just went broody? Any risks I should think of? was thinking of setting the eggs under her while she sleeps, but I also don't want her to wake up and harm them before I get up in the am...

Personally I would prefer she had been broody for a longer period of time. Her being young and only 48 hours I think you risk losing everything. It’s up to you if you want to risk your chicks or not. I say NO especially since they are starting to pip already. More experienced folks will chime in.

 

[Chickadee Salt]

I think that would be fine. But set the eggs under her when you have the chance to watch her. She probably will accept the eggs. (This is only from personal experience, so maybe your hen is different.)

 

[RedMoxie]

Personally I would prefer she had been broody for a longer period of time. Her being young and only 48 hours I think you risk losing everything. It’s up to you if you want to risk your chicks or not. I say NO especially since they are starting to pip already. More experienced folks will chime in.

Yeah, I'd feel a lot better if it was a seasoned broody or at least longer in her cycle, but its killing me to have eggs hatching in an incubator and a broody going un used

 

[sourland]

A seasoned broody or one that had been setting for at least two weeks, and success would generally be guaranteed. This situation is very iffy, and if you try monitor closely as she may very well reject/kill the chicks.