Incubated eggs

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beth210

beth210

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Exactly 2 weeks ago I decided to incubate some eggs. I have done the candle lighting and are guessing 5 of them will hatch. About a week ago one of my hen started sitting for the first time. I was wondering if I could take the eggs from the incubator and put them under her? Or should I wait and let them hatch first? This is my first time doing any of this and don't want to mess thing up.
 
This is without much experience, but I'd say that going with the incubator, you'd improve the chances of hatching every egg that will hatch. On the other hand, having them hatch under a broody would have the advantage of free babysitting. Integrating them into the flock would be a lot easier, if she's a good little mommy. If you're going to have to raise them in a brooder, you might have a harder time when you're joining them to your flock. Another idea might be to put fake eggs under the broody and switch them for day old chicks once they hatch in the bator. These are just my 0.02€, some ideas to take into consideration.
 
beth210
"I'am wondering if I do give them to her, should separate her from the rest of the group."

As I said, I don't have much experience, I've only incubated eggs and our oldest pullets are 5 months, so take this with a critical mind. I think the need to separate depends on what position the broody holds in the pecking order. Preferably, you'd want the rest of the flock exposed to the chicks as soon as possible, and just let mommy take care of any bullying issues. But if your broody is very low on the pecking order, she might not be able to defend her offspring in case a superior member of the flock tries to do something. I would try to keep them together and monitor the situation, but what you should do will depend on many things, including the broody's mothering instincts and her placement in the pecking order. Someone with a bit more experience might want to chime in here at this point. Often advice given by people based on theory tends to be bad in practice, so don't follow mine blindly. I hope that was enough of disclaimers
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Welcome to BYC!

You would probably do better to put the eggs under the broody and let her hatch them. Adding chicks to a broody is not always successful. If she is truly broody and has been so for a while, I would slip these eggs under her and let her hatch them. I think it is always best to section off a broody and her chicks so they all stay safe and the broody has her own space. Keep food and water excess able so the babies can get to it as well. Make sure this broody is not in a high nest box as you don't want the babies to fall out. A floor nest box is preferred.

Good luck with your eggs! Keep us posted as to how this all turns out!
 
Welcome to BYC
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For some reason I've never successfully hatched eggs under a broody that were started in an incubator, but I successfully finish off eggs that were started under a broody. What I personally would do in this situation is give the hen some fake or infertile eggs to keep her occupied and slip the chicks under her at night when she's sleeping, removing the eggs at the same time. Best of luck with your hatch and please keep us posted!
 
Hello :frow and Welcome To BYC! As mentioned above, there are pros and cons to doing either.... you could also go the middle route and give your hen one or two eggs you think are good and hatch the rest out in the incubator... that way if either the broody or the incubator has problems hopefully you will still have some chicks ... if she is a good mother to the ones she hatches you shouldn't have problems giving her the incubator chicks at night either.
 
Thanks so much for all the info. I will keep everyone posted on the out come. Fingers crossed we get healthy chicks.
 

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