Odd timing of egg placement under broody

[MomvdH]

I’m wondering if it is possible to place hatchery-purchased hatching eggs under a hen who has already been broody for 2 weeks, and expect that she will remain broody for successfully hatching those eggs? I know nothing is guaranteed. We will be away for 5 days at an inconvenient time in this process and in order to be home for the final week, I have to delay placing the eggs under her. I actually have two broody silkies who lure each other into broodiness every other month or so. We’ve always broken them in the past, but I really want to let one, or both, hatch eggs and be mamas. Is it too late to place the eggs, if she’s already been sitting on fake eggs for two weeks. I allowed this to keep her broody [as if you have to “keep” a silkie broody] as I decide the timing of the real eggs.

And second question….could I keep the two silkies together for this broody period. They’ve been raised together from day one, and are always together, even if only one is actually broody, they stay together. I already have one separated in a special broody coop and small run.

Thank you. I’ve never hatched before. I’m pretty sure I’m over thinking it all.

 

[Ridgerunner]

With living animals you don't get guarantees. You never know what will happen. She could break from being broody before the three weeks are up, let alone five weeks. But I'd try it. Before they go broody they store up excess fat, which is what they mostly live on so they can take care of the eggs instead of having to be off looking for food. Most of them store more than five weeks worth of fat.

Again, you don't get guarantees with living animals. Different things could happen, whether the second hen goes broody or not. It may work out great, it often does. The other hen may try to kill the chicks as they hatch or later. If she goes broody they may fight over the eggs or chicks. But my real problem with leaving her in there not broody is that she is probably laying eggs. If she lays eggs in the broody hen's nest you could have a staggered hatch. Or the number of eggs may build up enough that the broody hen cannot cover them all. Some can get pushed out and die, then get pullled back under her with others pushed out to die. You often do not get good hatches if she is trying to cover too many eggs. This is the main reason I would not leave them together.

 

[FunClucks]

I've heard of folks letting the hen be broody for a week or two just to be sure she's serious before giving her eggs. I think that's about how long my best girl was most recently broody before I gave her eggs last time. But there's no guarantees for any chicken behavior. Could go great, or it could not. I would separate the hens though, so she doesn't lay fresh eggs in the nest, and there's less competition for resources, and hopefully less stress because of that. I always have my broodies where they can see the others but not interact to keep eggs, chicks, and mom safe once they hatch and for a week or two afterwards, at least until I know how mom will do at defending the chicks. best advice is really, try it and see. Hope it goes well!