Newbie dumb question

[jermoatc]

I have my first broody. I bought her some fertile eggs to hatch. They should arrive today or tomorrow. Im assuming i just stick them in the nest and let her do her thing. Anything else i should be doing that I dont know about?

 

[Crabella]

I would let them sit on your counter overnight before putting them under the hen. Let them settle a bit.

 

[chickensinwasillaAK]

also put them under her in the evening when it's dark, she will be more accepting in the evening

 

[quibs]

I always put a little piece of tape or something on the egg so I know which ones are hatching too

I have a lot of other hens that end up sneaking eggs into the pile

 

[Frizzle Farmer]

I would let them sit out for 12-24 hours to settle. mark them with a pencil, and put them around her, kind of just under her feathers. Let her pull them under her and place them were she wants them. Good luck!

 

[jermoatc]

Thanks for the input. I would have never thought to let them "settle". I appreciate the feedback. She has been broody now for 1.5 weeks. Any chance she would "break" early?

 

[jfulcher]

I read from another byc'er that during summer you DON'T want them to settle overnight in case they started developing in this warm weather... Just food for thought....

 

[matlock585]

Quote:
I'm wondering if that isn't what happened with my asst. bantys. I've still got 9/14 developing good.

 

[cmom]

Quote:
I agree. Some eggs I have let settle and others I haven't. My hatch rates were pretty much equal. I would definitely mark the eggs. Good luck and have fun!!!