Is It Ok To Get 2 Hatches Out 1 Broody Hen?

[EAST TEXAROO]

OK, i WAS WONDERING IF IT WAS OK TO GET 2 HATCHES IN A ROW OUT OF 1 BROODY HEN. LET THE 1ST CLUTCH HATCH TAKE EM AWAY AND SLIP IN ANOTHER CLUTCH OF EGGS.

 

[shmooborp]

that would be realllly hard on her... she needs to rest, eat poop and drink and sleep or she will die after too long. i dont suggest it. but someone might know a bit better. becasue thats 42 days of sitting there.

 

[TexasVet]

If you want to risk killing the hen, sure.

It takes a big toll on hens to sit on a nest for 21 days straight, only getting off for a quick drink and a bite to eat a couple of times a day. They lose a lot of weight before the eggs hatch, moreso in this godawful Texas heat we've been experiencing. So to ask her to sit for 6 weeks straight may be mor than she can handle. I would never have my birds to do it.

Kathy, Bellville TX
www.CountryChickens.com, www.PivotalForce.com

 

[Dipsy Doodle Doo]

Hi! If your broody has the sense to come off the nest and eat well and drink and generally 'maintain herself' then it is perfectly OK to let her stay broody as long as she will set eggs.
I have some girls here that stay broody (whether they are actually on eggs or not) all season.
They don't seem to suffer from it.
I'm sure there are exceptions.

Lisa

 

[Frieza]

I would say it´s not ok to take away her children when they are born just to let the mom sit on new eggs for 3 weeks.
It would be easier for you and the hen if you buy an incubator to hatch more eggs in and let the hen rest and take care of her children.