If my hen goes broody, can I put fertile eggs under her and hatch them

[ragerkid2]

I have 9 chicks and their light brahmas, someone told me they will go broody. I don't have a rooster so if I would get fertile eggs from a friend could i put them under her and she would take them and raise them? What kind of eggs should I use? I would really like to put a bantie egg under her but im not sure she would crush it? And how do I know that she won't talk out on the eggs 5 days through it, or how do I know that she is defiantly broody? I herd people say they get a brooder but it dosnt last long...
Thanks and your answers are greatly appreciated!
-Brandon

 

[Judy]

One rule of thumb I've read here is, if they stay on the nest 24/7 for two days and nights, they're broody. I'd also want to see them fluff up and growl when I or anyone else comes near. In the end there's no guarantee, they can sit on eggs for two weeks and quit.

If you have a broody pen or cage, and you move her after she seems broody and she continues for a day or two, that's a pretty good guarantee, as moving them occasionally breaks the broodiness. Actually, if you plan to separate her while she sits, it's best to move her then wait a day or two to give her the fertile eggs for this reason. Some seem to do better on a few fake eggs while you're checking this out, some don't seem to care.

http://www.themodernhomestead.us/article/Broody-Hens-1.html

 

[zephyr66]

yes, i agree with the above post. and, yes, you can put fertile eggs of your choosing under her and you'll be good. if you have other nesting boxes, it's good to separate her (moving at night is best) because she will come off once or twice a day to eat/poop and often get back in the wrong nesting box if there are eggs in the other ones. i like to keep the separate area in the main coop though, so you don't have to deal with any "reacquainting" when she physically re-enters the flock. i let my hen re-enter the flock immediately with the baby chicks. mamma hens usually defend the little ones with a vengeance and the other hens quickly learn to respect the little ones. then you don't have to worry about the pecking establishment that can be brutal if you try and introduce them when they are older.

sylvia