mother hen hatching

[GoldenSparrow]

what month is the best time for a hen to hatch eggs????
I live in MA

thank you

 

[NottinghamChicks]

Do you have a broody? I do and I live in NH so it's too cold still so no eggs for her. If she goes broody again when it's warmer I will give her some eggs so she can be happy

 

[kaitlyn_rae2003]

oh dear, I am in NH, just posted questions on my broody hen who has eggs under her. do i take them away? if i do, can i put them in my incubator? she has been sitting on them since friday morning....any advice would be well taken!

 

[NottinghamChicks]

Quote:
I think if you have a spot in the basement I would move her in there as it gets closer to hatching day. Place her and the nest in a dog crate or something similar and when all are hatched and eating/drinking it should be warm enough to put her back in the coop with her brood. Well, that's my advice...

Good luck!

 

[mmaddie's mom]

She has a really good heater so unless she gets up for extended periods of time she and the eggies will be fine!

 

[ryanhodapp]

My broody was suppose to hatch yesterday. I feel like I did when I was pregnant with my 3 I am nervous. I just moved her to the basement so she can be warmer. We had terrific weather early last week, now it is snowing.
Doesnt mother nature know, I want those chicks?
Also, can the hen starve to death if she is on the chicks to long? She looks like she needs a day at the spa.

 

[NottinghamChicks]

They get off the nest to do what they need but they do end up looking and feeling thin because they are eating very little. I know mine (who is still sitting on nothing because I keep taking them) gets out of the nest box daily but I still take her out and put her near the food and she gobbles it up, she may even scratch around for a bit.

Nature and instinct are amazing so I am sure she will be fine. But I agree that when it is snowing out and less than 20 degrees(like it was here this morning) I too would move my broody to the basement, Good job

Hope your hatch goes well

 

[GoldenSparrow]

Its still cold here,
how warm sould it be to hatch?
I do have a hen that LOVES her eggs, and is always sitting on them. shes not broody yet though.
thanks

 

[NottinghamChicks]

Lots of people on here hatch at this time of year, I wouldn't because I would have to bring mine into the basement. The issue isn't keeping the eggs warm because mom does a great job with brooding and hatching. I just think that three day old chicks having to run around and get food and water when it's 25 degrees with the windchill is less than ideal. Come summer will be another story

You will know when she is broody because she will sleep in the nest box instead of the roost with the others. Good Luck!!!

 

[GoldenSparrow]

Thanks!
I let you guys know if we hatch!