How to encourage first year layers to set

[buddhabrahma905]

I have a mixed flock of
1 ISA Brown
1 Blue Ameraucana
1 Black Copper Marans
1 Buff Orpington
1 Buff Silkie
1 Buff Brahma
1 Easter Egger
and 1 Barred Rock

They're all between 9 and 11 months old and I'm just really longing for some baby chicks through nature! I heard from one source that you can encourage broodies by installing nest box curtains or by leaving a hen in a covered 5 gallon bucket with a nest of eggs. What do you think

 

[randerson846]

It is hormones in the chicken, although u cant really do much about encouraging broodiness, ive tried ahha but if u wait a couple of months that silkie will keep u filled with broodiness, my silkie goes broody about 4 times a year ahah she never stops

 

[red horse ranch]

My orpintons were very good at brooding and raising chicks. But I think you have to wait until they are in the mood!

 

[buddhabrahma905]

Sounds fair enough. One more question though. I found a Canada goose egg that from candling looks like it is alive ( I saw it kick! ) and has a few days left to go. Is it possible to hatch it.

 

[randerson846]

yes if u put it under a broody or in an incubator asap it should hatch good luck

 

[buddhabrahma905]

It's in a styrofoam incubator at 101.5 and I haven't turned it cuz it looks pretty far along. I feel bad because my friends friend ended up cracking open the other one ;(

 

[red horse ranch]

It's in a styrofoam incubator at 101.5 and I haven't turned it cuz it looks pretty far along. I feel bad because my friends friend ended up cracking open the other one ;(

It's very possible that it will hatch. But if it is a wild bird it may be regulated by the state. A friend of mine hatched an egg she found and Game & Fish came and took it after it hatched. In Wyoming it is illegal to do it. But I don't think she got in trouble because of it.

More than likely the goose was just scared off the nest shortly before you took the eggs. And she probably would have gone back to them.

 

[buddhabrahma905]

Although these eggs were incubated, they were in the middle of the lawn, no nest, straight up abandoned. I've checked and I believe there aren't any regulatory restrictions on their keeping in michigan

 

[buddhabrahma905]

I also feel that since I've taken the egg it is my responsibility to see this through to the bitter end, for better or worse

 

[randerson846]

Well let me know how it goes