Its a contest..broody hen or incubator - who will get the best hatch?

[thepetpaw]

Here is the story

I have a broody hen day 3 - with 14 eggs

I have an incubator - day 3 - 30 eggs

Which will get the best hatch rate...any bets?

 

[Corey NC]

Hands down broody will win. Unless you have a sportsman broddy is the best.

 

[deerman]

Depends what type of incubator,also what kind of eggs. (shipped eggs) chicken, turkey,or quail.

 

[77horses]

depends; broody hens are GREAT mothers, but the incubator may be a good one, and plus the hen has less eggs, so maybe more will hatch from the bator than the hen. Good Luck!

 

[keljonma]

Too many unknown variables to say...

But I DO know that the broody hen will do a much better job of raising those chicks!

 

[thepetpaw]

OK - here are the variables

broody hen - 14 fresh local eggs

incubator - genesis 1588 with auto egg turner - 30 shipped eggs from dipsy doo (18 frizzle and 12 silkie)

I am not betting on which one hatches the most - just which one gets the best hatch rate...percentage wise.

Broody hen - very very broody - she doesnt leave that nest hardly at all - maybe 10 minutes - 15 at the most per day. I try to hand her food and - she will not take it - she is all work - no play!!!!

Too bad we cant hire people that will work as hard as her!!! She doesnt even complain about heat, late working conditions, lunch breaks, shes a trooper!

 

[dacjohns]

Assuming all eggs, both batches are fertile, the broody hen.

 

[CindyS]

broody hen, If the incubator had eggs from the same source, and were hand turned, I would think it would be a tie, because the genisis is a good incubator. But since it has shipped eggs, in a turner, definatly the broody.