Questions about hatching with a broody hen....

[islandchick75]

In a few months i plan to let one of my hens hatch some eggs for the first time, and I am wondering about a few things:

- is it okay to hatch eggs from a different breed? (i don't have a rooster, so plan on buying fertile eggs; she won't abandon the chicks if they are a different breed?)
- how many eggs can i put under her? (she is a buff orpington)
- i plan on separating her from the flock, but is it possible to put her back in with the flock once the chicks are a little older? (is there danger of them getting pecked to death by the other hens?)

Thanks!

 

[gamebirdsonly]

No she won't abandon them
as far as how many eggs depending on the size of the egg. I would say any where from 10 to 16 eggs.
There probably will be some pecking that is usaully how it is when you introduce new birds or reintroduce.

Good luck

 

[gimmie birdies]

mark the eggs you want her to sit on and remove any other eggs. It is cute to see a hen sitting on 40 eggs but most would go bad and could wreck the chicks trying to hatch.

when the chicks start to hatch , I take away the chicks until all the ones she is siting on the nest hatch. when chicks start to hatch the mom wants to leave the nest to find food and may walk away from unhatched egg. don't worry about the bond. I gave a broody 2 week old chicks that were not hers and all bonded fine.

 

[islandchick75]

Thanks for the info, I learn so much from this forum. I look forward to watching them hatch!