Moral delemma...wanting cake and eating it too..

[Mrs. K]

ok, got a broody, due a week from Friday. 3 eggs, 2 are questionable. I think? Saw a lot of dots in one.

Just talked to the feed store-could get 4-5 chicks on Friday, so if I gave her those, put these eggs in the incubator, and in a week, if they hatch, could I add them in to her....do you think?

Mrs K

 

[sourland]

It depends upon the temperament of the hen. Generally hens bond with and identify their chicks within the first day or so and regard any others as 'strangers' after that. I have had some silkies and cochins that would accept more chicks later in the mothering cycle.

 

[oregonkat]

It is going to depend on how good of a mother your hen is but I think you might be OK. I would do the introduction at night though so she cant see whats going on and then in the morning, voila!! "Your babies, Madame!". Watch her very closely though to make sure she doesn't go psycho on the chicks in which case you are looking at brooding them yourself. The trouble might happen when the potential 'good egg' hatches in the bator and you have to introduce that chick. Good luck!

 

[Mrs. K]

Oh, I know...I just have never been confident candling, I would like a couple more chicks, not a Cochin or a silky.

Hmmmm, bird in hand worth two in the bush.... dang it.

 

[Mrs. K]

I know, I might just hatch one or two...which would be fine...but adding them to a week old clutch, might be a wreck.

 

[oregonkat]

I would leave the eggs under her. She would be be more accepting of extra chicks at the time of the hatch. Is it possible for you to get your chicks closer to that time or are they only available a week earlier?

 

[EggSighted4Life]

I know, I might just hatch one or two...which would be fine...but adding them to a week old clutch, might be a wreck.

It has been a wreck for me in the past simply because the new chicks aren't yet as mobile and haven't figured out how to follow along yet so they get left behind even if the mom doesn't reject them.

 

[Mrs. K]

At this time, I only want a couple. I know it would be best if I could get them at the time of hatching...Might have to hit up some chicken ladies near by.

 

[Ridgerunner]

With a week's difference I would not try. It might work but I would not expect it to. Good luck with your neighbors.

 

[lazy gardener]

Chances of failure are greater than success IMO. But, if you tried it, what have you got to loose? (this is my summer mantra, combined with "What could possibly go wrong?") Can you confine broody in a controlled environment for up to a week after her babies hatch? If so, that would give them the time to "catch up" to the feed store babies. If she rejects the babies you hatch in your incubator, you can always brood them yourself with a MHP or even a wool hen.

Your other option would be to buy the chicks, and forfeit the broody eggs. However, that would not be my choice b/c I highly value the life in those unhatched eggs once they have started incubating.