Incubated eggs

[lyndy53]

I've been incubating some eggs and one of my hens has finally decided to sit, can I put some of the eggs I've been incubating under her? Will she accept them when they hatch?

 

[jqs birds]

She will except any egg you put under her and hatch them just fine.

 

[Goose and Fig]

Take a few eggs and see if she wants them. I'd keep a couple in the bator until you're sure. If she's going to set- sneak the rest under- preferrably at night. If she hatches them, she will most likely accept them. Make sure you don't give her more eggs than she can handle. Also- give her a sheltered place that other hens won't be able to lay in her nest.

 

[Dirt Road]

How far along are the eggs you are incubating? The hen will have to be broody for more than a few days in order to accept chicks as a rule. A few don't seem to care, but most will have to have been broody for a couple of weeks.

Jim

 

[lyndy53]

They're due to hatch next Thursday, she's been sitting for about a week

 

[Dirt Road]

If you are going to be brooding some chicks anyway, I'd suggest you just keep the eggs you've already started, and give the hen a few fresh eggs to deal with. Especially if it is a first time hen you really don't know how she would react. Just my opinion.

Jim

 

[lyndy53]

of the five eggs I put under my hen 4 hatched 1 died and the other 3 are thriving, she's a fearsome mom and very protective

 

[gocrow77]

Congrats!