How to let a broody hen hatch eggs

[Cwillenburg]

I have 3 broody bantams that I've been unable to break, so I'm getting some hatching eggs to put under them. How do I go about doing it? Do i need to do anything, or just put the eggs under them and forget about it? Do i need to candle at all or anything else? I've never hatched eggs before, only bought chicks

 

[JacinLarkwell]

Just put the eggs under and mark the calender so you know when yo check. You don't need do candle if there is a way for the hen to roll bad eggs out of the box

 

[SulkyBantam]

But always check eggs she rolls out in case it was an accident. How many are under her?

 

[Cwillenburg]

But always check eggs she rolls out in case it was an accident. How many are under her?

I don't have any under her yet. I want to be prepared before I put them under. I was thinking of just doing 5

 

[Cwillenburg]

Just put the eggs under and mark the calender so you know when yo check. You don't need do candle if there is a way for the hen to roll bad eggs out of the box

There is a lip on the nesting boxes, so i don't think she can roll any out. How often would you suggest candling them?

 

[Mimi13]

The broody definitely will do all the work. However, I still like the ability to check on Mother Nature’s amazing process and progress. I do like to candle at at least the 8-10 day mark and then again on Day 17.

Make sure she has access to food, water and a dust bathing spot when she gets up for a quickie me-time.

 

[SulkyBantam]

Ok, nice! You might want to be able to get some back-up chicks if the others don't hatch.
Candle them every week or a little more...

 

[Mimi13]

Oh, I also like for my broodies to be on the ground floor of wherever she is. But make sure she will be safe from nosy rosy hens and predators. It’s best that other hens can’t get to her because they can and will lay more eggs to mix in with the ones she’s setting on. It’s always a good idea to mark the initial clutch given to her and any new ones removed daily.

 

[TimberLine Homestead]

I let my buff orpington hatch 13 chicks and she did amazing 12 out of 13 hatch. I am so pround of her I didnt candle them I just let her do what she needed to do and she did great

 

[Cwillenburg]

Oh, I also like for my broodies to be on the ground floor of wherever she is. But make sure she will be safe from nosy rosy hens and predators. It’s best that other hens can’t get to her because they can and will lay more eggs to mix in with the ones she’s setting on. It’s always a good idea to mark the initial clutch given to her and any new ones removed daily.

Thank you so much! She picked the ground nesting box so she is good. I've been kicking her out once a day to try to get her to eat.