Moving Incubated eggs under broody?

[CarolinaSkies]

We are incubating eggs and will be at day 18 tomorrow. Instead of taking the eggs out of the automatic turner and going into lockdown, I'd like to place the eggs under a broody chicken and let her hatch them. IMO-hens make better parents that I do. Has anyone ever done this? Any opinions?

 

[ChickenCanoe]

I move eggs back and forth from incubator to broody and vice versa. Depends on the situation and what the coop/nest/pen/flock is like.
I've come to the conclusion that if I can isolate the broody in her own apartment/pen and I can give the young family the right feed and water, I prefer a broody.
If there are a lot of other birds and awkward setups for babies to get the food and water they need, I much prefer the incubator/hatcher/brooder.

 

[CarolinaSkies]

Thank you for the input. I wasn't sure if the hen would be surprised when she had chicks hatcing after only 3 days. : )

 

[chiqita]

Thank you for the input. I wasn't sure if the hen would be surprised when she had chicks hatcing after only 3 days. : )

She may not accept them if it has only been 3 days. I have iffy results before 7 days, and usually will wait 10 before i give them chicks. They believe in Miracles, but get suspicious after 3 days...

 

[CarolinaSkies]

She may not accept them if it has only been 3 days. I have iffy results before 7 days, and usually will wait 10 before i give them chicks. They believe in Miracles, but get suspicious after 3 days...

Ahhhh...very smart girls. : ) I think I'll just hatch these in the bator.