Incubate or allow Broody Hen to hatch shipped eggs?

[renovationmom]

I just ordered my first set of hatching eggs, 5 plus some extra's if available(these are rare silkie colors I do not have). Now, I know the odds are lower with shipped eggs, due to handling, and since I do not have many of these eggs to begin with, I am wondering if I take my chances with the incubator(it will be my second hatch, first went well, 14 out 17 with no hatching issues or deaths after hatch) or do I let my hens hatch them.

Problem with the hens is-I have 4 hens that have been sitting since Feb. 21, and I have only allowed them 3 eggs each, and when they hatched, I quickly removed the chicks to the brooder and replaced the egg. I am afraid they may give up and abandon eggs, and the other hens may not take their place.

Also, I have only one very large coop(I am working on building a seperation inside the coop-but it will not happen soon enough-I work full time, single Mom of a 5 year old) and my hens hatch, and raise their chicks with 4 Roosters and 16 hens all together. I have done it this way for 5 years, and only had one accident inside the coop, a hen fleeing from a amorus rooster trampled a chic, breaking its neck.

These are also silkies, and not one of them will roost at night, all the hens pile on top of one another in the nest box with the sitting hens, the roosters perch on the outside of box. I also have had chics hatch overnight, and found them dead in the morning, and I have to wonder if they were crushed by the pile of silkies they were under. So, I think I have just talked myself into hatching my eggs in the incubator. lol. But I still would love to hear from you all, and tell me what your experience has been.

I also have successfully done the "Egg Switch" and pulled eggs from sitting hens that were due to hatch at the same time as my eggs in the incubator, and placed them in before lock down. I have also pulled eggs from my incubator after the hatch, that I had given up on hatching, and gave them to my hens, and some hatched, as I can not bare to throw a egg away that does not smell bad, and I just can not bring myself to do an "eggtopsy".

 

[ichoudhury]

have 4 hens that have been sitting since Feb. 21, and I have only allowed them 3 eggs each, and when they hatched, I quickly removed the chicks to the brooder and replaced the egg.

Forgive me for saying this but that to me sound cruel.

... After 21+ days of love and care, they lost their babies ... even for those chicks .. they sensed their mom from the egg and when they hatched out. I am not an expert by any means, so I don't know much of chicken psychology .. just speaking from my childhood memory when I used to watch mother Hen being so protective her babies ... from mischievous kids like (well, me)

 

[Urbanfarmerkc]

I have the best luck putting eggs under a broody hen for 1 week then moving them into the incubator for the rest. Not a good idea to keep new chicks with the rest of the flock. I've got the main coop and I move the rest into a covered dog run (covered with a tarp AND chicken wire to keep predators out.)

When you put eggs under a broody hen the first week, they are MORE likely to hatch than when they are turned by you. Not sure why but some theories are because the hen turns them so often and of course the amount of humidity and heat is perfect cause she is a hen and not a machine. LOL

So, I'd slip the eggs under them for week one and then move to the bater for week 2 and 3. Then if you can get a dog run or something made for just them, I'd put chicks back under broodies to raise. I currently have 30 chicks under two Cochin bantams and they are HEALTHY and HAPPY and growing like weeds. It has been cold here too!!! I haven't lost one chick. So, they do better with mommas too and two hens help to keep everyone warm even with large numbers. I'm at week 4 now and I've turned the chicks out with the rest of the flock when I free range. Everyone is very happy. BTW, to get two hens to work together as a team you have to put the chicks under the hens the same night. In other words, go out after dark and slip the chicks under the hen you want to raise them. They should NOT be over a day old cause she is more likely to reject the chick if it is older than that.

If you slip chicks under her during the day she is also more likely to reject it...

You will also have to transport the mom to the extra pen PRIOR to putting chicks under her. If you put the chicks under the momma while in the pen with the other chickens they are more likely to be harmed by the other chickens.

Good luck!

Dave

 

[speckledhen]

They can actually die from being broody for that long. Break them up ASAP, IMO.

 

[mmaddie's mom]

I was going to vote Broody until I found out that they had been setting for so long. Do you have one that has not been on eggs for as long? If so, I would move her and some fake eggs to a separate place... a dog crate would work or 2 laundry baskets (one attached on top of the others). As soon as she settles you can give her your special eggs. Make sure she has food and water close by in the crate. And let her keep those babies... she can integrate them into your flock so much easier that you can... AND SHE WILL LOVE IT!

 

[renovationmom]

I did break all but one broody hen. She just will not give up. I removed the nest boxes, she just made a nest in the bedding. I check and remove eggs twice per day, and I give her treats when I remove her(she eats the treats, then right back to sitting), take her out to free range with the others, she just goes right back in the coop. I am out of idea's at this point. I wonder if I give her some day old chicks to care for, if this will break her. I like the advice that "Urbanfarmerkc" has given, and I am going to try this method. Thank you all for your good advice.