Old Fashioned Broody Hen Hatch A Long and Informational Thread

[Peep-Chicken]

There was a fellow on here last year who had a lot of Sumatra broody hens I believe....


Yep, found his info.... here is a link to an egg auction he had a while back.  I'm sure he could answer any questions you may have about them.

https://www.backyardchickens.com/t/...-hatching-eggs-black-blue-and-the-rare-splash

Thank you!

 

[Gen9]

So pretty! What breed is she?

Thanks! She's a blue copper marans, here she is with her first brood

 

[Peep-Chicken]

Thanks! She's a blue copper marans, here she is with her first brood

She's stunning! Looks like a great mom.

 

[HaplessRunner]

I recently acquired a SFH pullet that is laying. This morning, I discovered that she had laid an egg under the coop on the ground. It was cold last night around 29 but the egg was not frozen. I want to hatch some her eggs so my question is this. Will that egg have a chance to hatch after getting so cold?

 

[fisherlady]

I recently acquired a SFH pullet that is laying. This morning, I discovered that she had laid an egg under the coop on the ground. It was cold last night around 29 but the egg was not frozen. I want to hatch some her eggs so my question is this. Will that egg have a chance to hatch after getting so cold?

Chances are reduced, but it is still possible. There have been folks who reported they have been able to hatch out eggs after they were in the refrigerator, so anything is possible!

I would mark it somehow and save it, along with her next 5 or 6 eggs, and set them. To improve your chances with it I wouldn't wait more than 7 or 8 days to put them into the incubator. Usual time frames say eggs are pretty good till they are over 10 days old, then they start loosing viability, but I wouldn't wait that long. Unless there is some reason you have to things really soon you could also just wait some extra time an not include this one in the incubator hatch.

If she hasn't been exposed to a SF roo since you acquired her, but was before, she should still throw fertile eggs for at least 2 to 3 weeks since last rooster encounter.

 

[TeaChick]

@ Gen9:
Beautiful hen!!!

@ HaplessRunner:
I understand ppl who hatch out fridge eggs say that the hatch rate is about 50% (less for beginners).

 

[showinbirds]

I love game hens,they wil lset up to three times a year, and if you need to you can move them. However if you plan to move them you should have them in a portable nest box.They hold the nest very good. I always set 10 eggs under a hen, I've tried different numbers but 10 is the most succesful. Before you set the hen with the eggs of your choice,dust the box and hen with seven dust. That will keep the pest away. the hen will be more comfortable and help her not to quit before hatchday.

 

[MEMama3]

I just finished setting eggs for my first time. My broody was an unexpected one (I figured it would be the silkie hands-down, but it turned out to be my australorp mix), but it's good seeing as she has a bit more girth to her to keep those babies warm. Anyways, I have two questions.

First, she was holding eggs hostage for the last two days. I didn't want to upset her too much until I had the fertile eggs on hand to switch them out with. I was able to get the two non-fertile ones from her. Do you think they are still okay to eat after being under her for two days?

Second, I was going to get some maran eggs, but since it's insanely cold lately and this is a first hatching for me and the bird, I went with some cheap eggs from the local health store. I was hedging my bets that they were fertile and after cracking one open I saw they were. Anyways, I keep trying to meet up with the lady that delivers them but I keep missing her. I would love some educated guesses on what breed/s they might be. They are probably all production birds, but there is a lot of variety in color shades. I'm not holding out much hope, but does anyone want to hazard a guess on what breeds these eggs may be from? Is it possible that one breed could lay such variety?

 

[TeaChick]

I just finished setting eggs for my first time. My broody was an unexpected one (I figured it would be the silkie hands-down, but it turned out to be my australorp mix), but it's good seeing as she has a bit more girth to her to keep those babies warm. Anyways, I have two questions.
Congratulations on your first broody sitting!!!!

First, she was holding eggs hostage for the last two days. I didn't want to upset her too much until I had the fertile eggs on hand to switch them out with. I was able to get the two non-fertile ones from her. Do you think they are still okay to eat after being under her for two days?
You can float test them; if the float, they're no good. ;-)

Second, I was going to get some maran eggs, but since it's insanely cold lately and this is a first hatching for me and the bird, I went with some cheap eggs from the local health store. I was hedging my bets that they were fertile and after cracking one open I saw they were. Anyways, I keep trying to meet up with the lady that delivers them but I keep missing her. I would love some educated guesses on what breed/s they might be. They are probably all production birds, but there is a lot of variety in color shades. I'm not holding out much hope, but does anyone want to hazard a guess on what breeds these eggs may be from? Is it possible that one breed could lay such variety?

This looks like my egg carton (except that I have white eggs from my white Leghorns) and all my brown eggs are from four gold Comets.
One lays light eggs (with a slightly yellow tint to them), one lays very dark eggs (that look like chocolate), one lays speckled eggs (light to medium background with very dark speckles), and one lays eggs that are pinkish to mauve (yes, they look almost purple!!!). So, those eggs could be from three or four gold Comets (which are a sex-link: RIR roo x Buff orpington hen not exactly a breed).
FYI: Once eggs have been refrigerated, I understand the hatch rate is cut in half, so I wouldn't expect too much, but it will be good for her to hatch out something and raise babies. =)

 

[MEMama3]

@TeaChick I mentioned to the store owner that I wanted to get them before they went in the fridge. She held these ones out for me. Thanks for all the help!