Incubator vs. Brooder

[Mahonri]

Since I started up with chickens again in April of 2008, I've only had one hen go broody. A partridge rock we named Neckie.

She would have done fine if I could have isolated her.

 

[rocketdog312]

Quote:
Ok, so when TEOTWAWKI comes, the grid is un-plugged, and the solar-charged storage batteries have long since become simply large pieces of inert lead due to age and so can't energize the inverter....what's going to power that incubator? It'd be *real* nice about that time to have some broodies around or I guess you could put some eggs under your armpits for three weeks but then it might be difficult to tell if they were going bad and about to explode...it'd also be difficult working a garden, cutting firewood, etc., with'em nestled in the armpits....after thinking about it for just about a split second the broodies sound better to me than the armpits. But, to each his own.

Just some thoughts,
Happy New Year,
Ed

what are you talking about? If it isn't plugged in, thats his own fault. As for the armpits thing, you didn't make any sense at all. I wasn't saying anything about armpits. But whatever, Ignorance is bliss.

 

[Intheswamp]

Quote:
Ok, so when TEOTWAWKI comes, the grid is un-plugged, and the solar-charged storage batteries have long since become simply large pieces of inert lead due to age and so can't energize the inverter....what's going to power that incubator? It'd be *real* nice about that time to have some broodies around or I guess you could put some eggs under your armpits for three weeks but then it might be difficult to tell if they were going bad and about to explode...it'd also be difficult working a garden, cutting firewood, etc., with'em nestled in the armpits....after thinking about it for just about a split second the broodies sound better to me than the armpits. But, to each his own.

Just some thoughts,
Happy New Year,
Ed

what are you talking about? If it isn't plugged in, thats his own fault. As for the armpits thing, you didn't make any sense at all. I wasn't saying anything about armpits. But whatever, Ignorance is bliss.

Apparently so.

 

[chickenmeadow]

The technology of the incubator is just wonderful. But, there's nothing like watching the process of eggs layed, eggs set & eggs hatching naturally; when it goes right, it's a beautiful miracle. I can successfully incubate & hatch eggs; it serves a purpose. On the otherhand, I have great hopes for some broody gals in my coop next year, as they are a young group. I have chosen to raise a heritage breed of Faverolles in Bantams. Since this is a loving hobby for me with the added bonus of breakfast eggs, my focus will be to breed for utility of egg laying, natural ablity to repopulate itself & hardiness. That's what feels right to me, to do this rare breed justice & have a strong self-sufficient flock.

I'm lucky to be able to try next year & "let nature take it's course" for the strength of the breed. I also feel lucky to be able to recognize that others have higher priorities, such as feeding family or making a living. Choice is our freedom, acting with a conscience is what puts our choices to good use.

 

[rancher hicks]

So allow me to weigh in. I've only had chickens for 10 months. Started Feb 25 this year. I borrowed an incu to hatch some Delaware eggs. hova bator w/ no turner. 13 eggs. 6 hatched and one would've I believe if it hadn't died while trying to get out of it's shell. Compare this to 2 bantam friz hens going broody. One hatched 2 out of 2. The other hatched 5 out of 6. Each lost one chick. Mind you these were hens less than 10mos. old and first timers. The first hens' chick I put in a brooder, the second she took care of her own with a heat lamp over her pen. It was fall and cold. The four she had lived. By the way they were not all their own eggs either.

With the incu I had alot of stress, is the temp right, is the humidy right. A number of times I was sure it got too hot. I candled and was sure all were no good. I was

surprised and

excited when I heard cheeping. When some didn't hatch I was

. When the one died while trying to get out. I was

Now when the broodies hatched I was not stressed. What will be, will be.

When they hatched I was

e When one died I was

I could blame the hen.

If I didn't have the incu I can still hatch and replenish my supply of chickens as long as I have broodies.
The one thing I would advise if you intend to hatch with broodies is get set up before they go broody. Have a seperate coop or area or some place to put her by herself.

Either way, I LOVE CHICKENS, did I mention I love chickens?

 

[cluckcluck42]

Quote:
Ok, so when TEOTWAWKI comes, the grid is un-plugged, and the solar-charged storage batteries have long since become simply large pieces of inert lead due to age and so can't energize the inverter....what's going to power that incubator? It'd be *real* nice about that time to have some broodies around or I guess you could put some eggs under your armpits for three weeks but then it might be difficult to tell if they were going bad and about to explode...it'd also be difficult working a garden, cutting firewood, etc., with'em nestled in the armpits....after thinking about it for just about a split second the broodies sound better to me than the armpits. But, to each his own.

Just some thoughts,
Happy New Year,
Ed

Edited to add: My idea of sustainable is not having to rely on an outside energy or supply source...basically being independent of the modern economic greed system. If I can make it, grow it, and harvest it without leaving my acres then the land is sustaining me and my family. To me, sustainability and self-sufficiency are close kin. I just wish I could get headed more so in that direction.

Good post, I agree. Something as simple as solar flares can take out the entire power grid. There are lots of possibilities, we are not infallible.

I am letting my incubator set right now, it's buzzing quietly next to me. I hope that i have some hens go broody because it'd be great to see babies clucking behind their momma in the yard. Besides, it's natural. It's far better for mom and chicks to be together.

 

[lauralou]

I love my broody hens. They do all the work. I never have any worries. Never any stinky, dusty chicks in the house, no fear of cocci, just the enjoyment of watching nature take it's course.

I'm lucky to have several experienced broody hens. And several younger ones that I think of as understudies. I'm sure that the incubator has a place in the grand scheme of things. I don't have one, and don't need one.

But that's just me.

 

[speckledhen]

Of course, I prefer broody hens, however, even my big girls can't set upwards of 50 eggs that I can get in the incubator. When I need alot of chicks, I incubate. When I have broodies, I love giving them a half dozen eggs each. As was stated, those don't get cocci like the ones raised for the first few weeks in a brooder.

 

[steelersfan43]

My husband and I are having this same "discussion"

I'm thinking that just starting out and all that we should just wait till the silkies we have coming get old enough and let them hatch the eggs. I've heard that they are good with being adoptive mommys. I'd rather have a flock of silkies I think instead of building a brooder inside my house to go along with an incubator. Any thoughts?

 

[clucktastic]

Quote:
Amen