Incubators Anonymous

[Tuhmu]

So how would one go about sneaking more lockdown eggs into an incubator that's in lockdown? From the way its looking, I'm going to have a couple boxes coming 1-2 days apart....I guess it would probably be better to just hang one to them a day longer and set them all together??

 

[5 Acre Rooster]

I think its funny how people that don't want broodys get them and people that do don't, haha. I have my one dark brahma who is broody, she's on day 12ish? I would love to have more, just because it will be so much easier to let her do all the flock introductions. I have a 4' x 2' x 2' cage I made up, in the coop, that she gets to stay in for the first few weeks or so when she gets her little fluffers.

I have the same set up that I move broody to a week before expected hatch. Saves a little stress on me and them I think. When chicks start venturing out of this I allow all of them out. Generally takes a few days to a week. And as for the 1st part of your statement it is so true. Maybe that's why people will pay high dollars for a broody hen these days when 50 years ago they just went to the pot.

 

[DMRippy]

So how would one go about sneaking more lockdown eggs into an incubator that's in lockdown? From the way its looking, I'm going to have a couple boxes coming 1-2 days apart....I guess it would probably be better to just hang one to them a day longer and set them all together??

Yes. Set them all at the same time.

 

[5 Acre Rooster]

That's generally best. Some of us shuffle eggs when we shouldn't. It can effect hatch, or it can be ok. I break rules that shouldn't be. Some people follow all the tried and true rules. Success and failure are part of learning. When someone finds a way to be successful 100% of the time let me know.

My Rouen ducks that just hatched had a 108 spike one day. And the rest of the time after 1.5 weeks were up and down 92-102. Still have 6 perfect little ducks to show, from 8 eggs that set. Another earlier batch went 0/10. Go figure those temps were spot on. Hoping I have moire of the previous luck with other eggs cooking. time will tell. Good hatching.

 

[Farmer Viola]

ya, i just had to sell a dark brahma for very cheap, she is almost constantly broody but because of her age nobody wanted her.
it seems that there are just a select few who appreciate the motherliness of a broody.. i hear brahmas are awesome broodys, she
hatched two sittings for me a while back but it was mostly to satisfy my curiosity and teach myself the real story about broody
hatching. The only problem was protecting her and the chicks from the other hens, with limited pen space.. it is shocking to see
another hen snatch up a baby and run away with it. Fortunately i was supervising so no harm was done, but i learned alot..

question about broodies and their chicks...
will they protect their chicks from the other hens? or will the hens kill them? how many chicks could she reasonably protect? would you keep them separate from the flock for about a week, or longer?
I wish someone here would go broody!

 

[5 Acre Rooster]

They will most of the time protect chicks, although aggression of the flock would determine how successful she is. If its 1 bird being aggressive it should be simple, if its more than a couple working together (They do this) then it could cause issues with the broody and chicks. As long as the chicks are sure on their feet they can most of the time run to Mama for protection. If you are seriously concerned and don't have time to watch the introduction (20-30 minutes) I would keep them separated until a few weeks old. This however might cause more issues with intro later.

 

[Farmer Viola]

thanks! I don't have a broody myself, but I always thought it would be nice, since they could be raised within the flock from the very start. what he said about hens carrying chicks away in their beak made me start to wonder if it isn't so easy! I have also heard of hens who brood at the same time co-parenting the chicks, seems like that would make a great double-team for any aggressive hens.

 

[Runawaylobster]

question about broodies and their chicks...
will they protect their chicks from the other hens? or will the hens kill them? how many chicks could she reasonably protect? would you keep them separate from the flock for about a week, or longer?
I wish someone here would go broody!

mine did not, she wandered about and let the other chickens just gang rush her,,, i had to step in, she just wasn't able..

 

[TherryChicken]

Another broody hen, sept this one is much nicer so I just remove all eggs.

 

[gimmie birdies]

I let my broody sit on eggs as they hatched I took out chicks and when they all hatched I put new eggs under her. I never tried to move her to a diff spot, just let her stay, marked the eggs she was incubating, and if another hen got on her nest, she would use that as an opportunity to eat drink and poo- when the other hen was done laying she'd get back on the nest. that evening I would just grab the newest eggs. I don't trust hens with brand new babies, but I have given even 2 week old chicks to a broody and all was well.