Question about Broody

[julianahouk]

I have a hen who's been setting on a nest for about two weeks and I have some hatching eggs due to arrive tomorrow. If I put a couple under her will she stay there for the next 21 days to hatch them since she's already been setting for a few weeks or will she get tired of it and leave? I've never hatched with a hen before. I guess if she gets up I can move the eggs to the 'bator with the rest

 

[countrygoddess]

I wouldn't do it. I tried that this year and it didn't work. Once the new chicks are up and about, she stays with them, leaving the other eggs behind.

 

[julianahouk]

I wouldn't do it.  I tried that this year and it didn't work.  Once the new chicks are up and about, she stays with them, leaving the other eggs behind.

Well the ones under her now aren't fertile. We don't have a rooster so I ordered eggs

 

[countrygoddess]

Ah, I see what you're saying. It's hard to predict what she might do. Some hens are very persistent and will keep sitting, whereas others give up much more easily. You could put them under her and just keep a close eye on her. If she gets up and doesn't go back, take them in and incubate them. I popped some eggs in the incubator that one of my hens gave up on (the one that had older chicks -- other hens kept adding to her pile day after day) that had been in the open air for many hours and they hatched just fine. Keep in mind that hens get up to eat, drink, poop, take a dust bath... I think my girls were off their eggs for about 30 minutes daily.