Question: fertilized eggs & broody hens...

[Dani & Mikey]

Hello, BYC friends. I’m hoping this is the correct forum for this question. I have some questions regarding the choice I made recently to purchase fertilized eggs and have them shipped to place under my broody Olive Egger. She went broody for about 3 days before I ordered the eggs days ago. They will arrive tomorrow afternoon. My questions are as follows:

1.) Will the fertilized eggs last that long? They were shipped to me 3 days ago. I am *assuming* that they were laid that day or the day before.
2.) Will my bird remain broody long enough? Will she start to realize that there are chick in there and stay the length of hatch?

I am sure I have many more questions regarding this this hatch but I think there are other spots I should ask them. Thanks, guys!

 

[MGG]

Hello, BYC friends. I’m hoping this is the correct forum for this question. I have some questions regarding the choice I made recently to purchase fertilized eggs and have them shipped to place under my broody Olive Egger. She went broody for about 3 days before I ordered the eggs days ago. They will arrive tomorrow afternoon. My questions are as follows:

1.) Will the fertilized eggs last that long? They were shipped to me 3 days ago. I am *assuming* that they were laid that day or the day before.
2.) Will my bird remain broody long enough? Will she start to realize that there are chick in there and stay the length of hatch?

I am sure I have many more questions regarding this this hatch but I think there are other spots I should ask them. Thanks, guys!

Fertilized eggs stay good for 1 week before fertility starts to drop off. There are a number of people who have hatched month old eggs though. So there should be no problem there. I've had good hatch rates on 2 week old eggs too.
Your hen will stay broody on them. Hens can hatch out ducklings which take 28 days. They'll sit until babies hatch. This is the correct forum to ask them in.
One more thing, is this a first time broody? If so, do you have an incubator you can put the eggs in if she quits partway through?

 

[Dani & Mikey]

One more thing, is this a first time broody? If so, do you have an incubator you can put the eggs in if she quits partway through?

Thank you! That makes me feel better. Also, YES! She’s a first timer. Dear Lord, I didn’t think about her quitting! I’ll have to ask my chicken guru if i can borrow hers should that be the case.

 

[MGG]

Thank you! That makes me feel better. Also, YES! She’s a first timer. Dear Lord, I didn’t think about her quitting! I’ll have to ask my chicken guru if i can borrow hers should that be the case.

If you know someone who has one that's good. It's nice to have an incubator available just in case something goes wrong. Sometimes first time mothers will eat the chicks as they hatch too, so keep a close eye on her. Is she separated from your other chickens?

 

[Dani & Mikey]

If you know someone who has one that's good. It's nice to have an incubator available just in case something goes wrong. Sometimes first time mothers will eat the chicks as they hatch too, so keep a close eye on her. Is she separated from your other chickens?

That is scary. She is not separated yet. Once the eggs arrive, and settle a while, I’ll put them under her and move her to the Henternity suite during the night. At least that’s what I’m being advised to do on my Va Chicken FB group...what do you think/suggest? I’m 100% open to suggestions

 

[MGG]

That is scary. She is not separated yet. Once the eggs arrive, and settle a while, I’ll put them under her and move her to the Henternity suite during the night. At least that’s what I’m being advised to do on my Va Chicken FB group...what do you think/suggest? I’m 100% open to suggestions

Let the eggs settle for 5 or 6 hours. Candle them when they arrive, and check the air cells and look for cracks or dents from shipping. Do you have any fake eggs? I would move her tonight. That way if she decides to quit from the move all of her eggs won't die. Let her sit on some fake or infertile eggs in her "suite" until the new ones come. Good luck!

 

[Dani & Mikey]

Update! The eggs arrived in great shape. 16 of them!! I’m going to let them settle for a few hours and slide them under Miss Ginger this evening. Someone said I should candle them and check the air cells. Anyone have advice on that??

 

[Dani & Mikey]

Oh! I just found great articles!

 

[Minky]

I would candle them and pick the best 8. Keep turning the other 8 for the first week, incase she breaks one and gets yoke all over the rest. It will ruin them. And it happens a lot. (at least to my hens!)
IF you give her more than 8 she will likely break them. If she is small 6 may be best.
If she breaks one, and others get soiled, replace all. If she breaks one and none get soiled, just toss it and go with what is left.
Good luck

 

[WayCon]

Good luck with your endeavours. I have used broody hens for hatching a few times now with great success I have never hatched using an incubator... I love to see a broody hen go through her time. Dont stress .. while some hens quit it is likely that this wont happen. I have put 11 eggs under a large hen but as mentioned I think that normally 8 to 9 is a nice number. make sure you have your broody hen seperate from all the rest

I havent candled eggs early on in the process but it usually is a good idea to do so after about a week . I liked the surprise at the end of seeing how many came out and I have never been disappointed (I leave mother hen to her own devices as much as I possibly can... And if she gets off the eggs dont panic as it is normal for brooders to get off for a break. as long as she returns it will be fine. I had one get off for as long as 10 hours and still have a successful hatch. Mostly it will be a short exit for a bathroom break or a drink... Make sure she has a supply of food and water etc... and once again Good Luck