Pros and cons of incubator/broody hen

[BirdGirl2004]

Hey guys! Right now, I'm in the process of incubating 12 eggs! I know that soon I'll probably have a bloody hen since they go brooch around this time every year. I was wondering if it would have been better to hatch the out with incubator, or wait to let a bloody sit on them? I know quite a bit about both brooch hens and incubating eggs, but I was wondering what other useful information you guys might know! Thanks so much!!

 

[Lazy Farmer]

I wish I had time to type more. But nothing beats a controlled environment.

 

[HuskerHens18]

I'll always choose controlled environment over trusting the chicks' lives with a broody. I've had nothing but terrible broody experiences, I've tried isolating broodies and/or leaving them in the flock and it's always been a disaster.

As for information, I really don't have much. With controlled environments you bond more with the chicks, can better learn their personality(making it easier to tell if one is feeling off), and protect them better(you won't one day decide to just kill your chicks because of a bad mood).
Integration can be a little more difficult, but there's ways to work with that and make it easier.
Just my opinion

 

[Lazy Farmer]

I'll always choose controlled environment over trusting the chicks' lives with a broody. I've had nothing but terrible broody experiences, I've tried isolating broodies and/or leaving them in the flock and it's always been a disaster.

As for information, I really don't have much. With controlled environments you bond more with the chicks, can better learn their personality(making it easier to tell if one is feeling off), and protect them better(you won't one day decide to just kill your chicks because of a bad mood).
Integration can be a little more difficult, but there's ways to work with that and make it easier.
Just my opinion

 

[DellaNTuff]

Some quick pros and cons I have thought of before.

Broody hen:
Pros-no power needed
-no hand turning eggs or checking on turner
-chicks peaking out from mom is the cutest thing like ever.

Cons-she may give up and leave eggs early
-can not control humidity, temperature and cleanliness

Incubator:
Pros-can control everything
-can set eggs when every you want no need to wait for a hen to sit
-can set more eggs at a time
-can plan and schedule hatches easier

Cons-machine malfunction (broken fan, heater ext)
-power outages
-have to turn eggs or check on turner

I have only had one hen go broody and I let her hatch she did this in February so I moved her and her eggs into my bathroom at "lockdown" she was awesome and let everybody look at the chicks and pet her. Except my husband she attacked him every time he went to the bathroom, I also found that awesome LOL.

 

[BirdGirl2004]

Thanks so much guys... anybody else?

 

[Compost King]

Broody Hen Pros: Someone else (hen) worries about it
Con: She picks which eggs are worthy to hatch and not you, She might quit, I have had Chickens die while broody

Incubator, Pros: I am in control of what eggs get hatched
Cons: Can be stressful especially the first few times. Anxiety about power outages every time a storm comes through. equipment can malfunction. have to thoroughly clean equipment after every hatch.

 

[FlyingNunFarm]

Incubator pros:
You control timing of hatch.
You know eggs/chicks are safe.
Cons:
Equipment malfunction.
Power outage.
Integration into flock

Broody Pros:
If you know your broody is good no worries about hatching.
Chicks are integrated quickly to flock and environment.
Cons:
You don't control timing of hatch. No broody, no incubation.


My first hatch was incubator. Had no idea what I was doing. Set 11, 9 fertile hatched 7. Brooded them in the house. (I swear there is still chick dust in there.) Moved them outside and had integration problems. (Slight but still) Lost one to Cocci.
Second hatch was broody. Set 11, 8 fertile, hatched 7. Everyone was introduced to the flock right away. No illness problems and Momma has been a champ.

I would say for me broody was easier. I was a nervous wreck over her and her health (I don't think she pooped for 3 weeks) but she knew what she was doing. I gave her the eggs so I knew what she was hatching. Marked those and had to take several others from the nest. (She was blocked off but somehow managed to get visitors) I was able to hold and touch the chicks right away without problem. She took them outside at a week old. (I again didn't think it was time yet but she knew what she was doing)
So if you have a broody you know is good I'd vote broody. Less mess, less work for you, easier on the chicks. Can something go wrong--of course. Just like with the incubator.

So it's nice to have both. If mom quits early you can keep the eggs going. If mom seems ill you could again take over and get her better. I was prepared to brood them if she wouldn't. But it all worked out as nature intended. And really who can resist this--