Moving Eggs From Incubator to Broody Hen

[apmorris]

Has anyone ever started incubating eggs in an incubator and then moved them to a broody hen? If so, at what point should the eggs be moved to the hen? I have two hens who are often broody and have hatched chicks before but I think it would be better for the health of the hen to not sit on a nest for 21 days.

Sixteen hens, two roosters a house full of cats and a wonderful husband.

 

[ShysCreations]

My bantam cochins and silkies are very broody but I let the eggs grow the entire time in an incub. In the meantime, for several days I've had unfert eggs under the broody hen so she keeps her job in mind. When the chick hatches from incub I'll put it under her in the evening so they have all night to bond. Will have a heat lamp for them and about 2x 3ft space at first so she accepts them safely. I've put chicks under a broody hen who was broody only a couple days up to one who had been broody a month.

 

[apmorris]

I hadn't considered that. Thanks for the idea!