Introducing fertile eggs to a broody hen.

[Therumourmill]

Hi all,

We have seven chickens and no rooster, however one of them has gone broody about a week ago.

We were thinking off introducing some eggs from a friend who does have a rooster. Would the broody likely take to these if we remove the others (we have been collecting the eggs daily) and is she likely to remain on them until they hatch?

 

[The Happster]

If your hen is seriously broody, which it sounds like she is, then yes, she will likely take and incubate the eggs.
But it does depend on the hen.
Has she been broody before?
What age is she?
Some hens seem to have more patience.
If you do hatch, please think about what your plans are for the roosters before hand. You are likely to get 50% male.
If I were you I'd go ahead and get a couple eggs for her. It's a great experience.

 

[Therumourmill]

If your hen is seriously broody, which it sounds like she is, then yes, she will likely take and incubate the eggs.
But it does depend on the hen.
Has she been broody before?
What age is she?
Some hens seem to have more patience.
If you do hatch, please think about what your plans are for the roosters before hand. You are likely to get 50% male.
If I were you I'd go ahead and get a couple eggs for her. It's a great experience.

Thank you, she is between four/five and has never been broody before. She is being very stubborn and takes some removing from the eggs.

The question of roosters is a tricky one, not sure is the answer to be honest, let’s hope if they hatch we only get one!

 

[The Happster]

How many eggs are you thinking of giving her?
I have three chicks this year, and I'm positive two are roosters already. I have two adult roosters already, so I'm kind of panicking. I can't have five boys.
Hoping I get one girl!
Most of my broodies have started younger, usually a year old, but I'm sure yours will do a good job.

 

[NatJ]

Would the broody likely take to these if we remove the others

Yes. As long as it's shaped like an egg, the hen shouldn't care.

and is she likely to remain on them until they hatch?

Many hens do, some don't. You won't know unless you try it.

 

[EggWalrus]

If shes not a false broody, she should sit on them. If you're wanting to add about 4 or 5 girls, make sure to put about 10 or 12 eggs under her. Some won't hatch, could get broken, and unless you're really lucky you probably will have at least half roos. If you raise them all together, they will fight a little to establish pecking order, but I don't think they would fight to the death unless they are Games. If you don't want but one rooster you can always eat the rest once they start crowing (or rehome them). And any young roo can be hard on riding the girls till he gets out of puberty and settles down. Once you have a grown rooster, he'll keep those little roos inline, and keep they from wearing out your girls, and he teach them some chicken manners also.

 

[Therumourmill]

If shes not a false broody, she should sit on them. If you're wanting to add about 4 or 5 girls, make sure to put about 10 or 12 eggs under her. Some won't hatch, could get broken, and unless you're really lucky you probably will have at least half roos. If you raise them all together, they will fight a little to establish pecking order, but I don't think they would fight to the death unless they are Games. If you don't want but one rooster you can always eat the rest once they start crowing (or rehome them). And any young roo can be hard on riding the girls till he gets out of puberty and settles down. Once you have a grown rooster, he'll keep those little roos inline, and keep they from wearing out your girls, and he teach them some chicken manners also.

 

[NatJ]

I would plan for at least 2/3 of chicks being male. Either they are, or you get a pleasant surprise

 

[LaFleche]

If you don't want her to leave the nest halfway make sure to dust the new nesting ground and fresh nest with at least DE or other insect repellet, so she will not be bothered by poultry mites etc. And inspect and treat the broody as well if need be.