Putting eggs 2 days from hatching under hen, or grafting babies to the broody?

[Redhead Rae]

I have a hen who has been in the nest boxes every night for the past 2 weeks (we pull her out and put her in the mobile coop, the nest boxes are outside the coop). I've been waiting for room to set her up with eggs and now I have the room. I have eggs in the incubator that are supposed to hatch Thursday. I'm wondering if I should hatch them and give her the babies after they fluff up, or give her the eggs tonight and let her hatch them herself.

 

[Redhead Rae]

@lazy gardener @WVduckchick

 

[Ghull00]

I had a very similar experience!
Several years ago, one of my hens went broody. I gave it some fake eggs for a little while, and then introduced freshly hatched chicks during the night! She hardly knew anything and woke the next morning to find lots of little bundles underneath her!
Id hatch the eggs first and then secretly give the chicks to her.

 

[WVduckchick]

Personally for me it would depend on the importance of the chicks hatching or testing the hen. If you want to see the hen’s abilities and the eggs aren’t “important” (meaning it’s ok if they don’t hatch or she messes them up lol) then give her a chance. If you need the chicks, then it might be best to hatch them yourself.

 

[Redhead Rae]

Personally for me it would depend on the importance of the chicks hatching or testing the hen. If you want to see the hen’s abilities and the eggs aren’t “important” (meaning it’s ok if they don’t hatch or she messes them up lol) then give her a chance. If you need the chicks, then it might be best to hatch them yourself.

True, these are 1 of the last 3 hatches of Cornish eggs I think I'm getting this year. I'll give her fakes and give her the babies after they hatch.

 

[WVduckchick]

True, these are 1 of the last 3 hatches of Cornish eggs I think I'm getting this year. I'll give her fakes and give her the babies after they hatch.

Then you will only be testing her mothering ability, but that’s ok too. Got any other chicks hatching that you could give her first, just in case she rejects them? It doesn’t happen often, but I’ve had a couple chicks killed this year. And some hens just aren’t cut out for it. They just want to sit on eggs lol

 

[Redhead Rae]

Then you will only be testing her mothering ability, but that’s ok too. Got any other chicks hatching that you could give her first, just in case she rejects them? It doesn’t happen often, but I’ve had a couple chicks killed this year. And some hens just aren’t cut out for it. They just want to sit on eggs lol

Last week's hatch was done by Molly, my best broody and I grafted the 4 chicks I hatched the week before to her. The only other chicks I have are close to 3-4 weeks old now. So these are it. I can brood these chicks if she rejects them. I just want to get her off the nest. She is getting too skinny, and I think giving her chicks or eggs that are closer to hatching is the best bet.

 

[WVduckchick]

Sounds like a plan! Good luck

 

[Redhead Rae]

We moved her to a broody house last night, but today, she wouldn’t stay on the nest. My FIL said he could only find some hay that was questionable to put in the box. I just went out, gave her fresh hay and added 5 fake eggs to the box. I picked her up and shut her in the box until her agitated “bock, bock”ing calmed down (30 seconds or so) I opened the door but put my hand in front of the opening. She saw the fake eggs and contentedly settled down on them and had stayed put.

Two of the 5 eggs I’m hatching for her are pipped. They are a day early!

 

[Redhead Rae]

I don't think she's been off the nest once since I gave her the fakes.

Last I check, I have 3 pipped eggs!