Removing some eggs from incubator to put under hen. Yes or No?

[pntdhorses]

I have 11 eggs in my incubator with 5 days to go until hatch. I also have a broody hen. Am I screwing up my chances of hatching by removing 6 of the eggs to put under my hen? My thought process is that it will increase the odds of having a good hatch vs the unknowns of the incubator. But I’m worried if the eggs under the hen will get enough humidity at hatch time seems how I’m putting them under her so close to hatching day.
Also do you think she will have problems accepting the chicks hatching under her after only 5 days instead of 21?

 

[hysop]

If she’s a reliable hen that won’t stop going broody after a few days I would think her body is equipped to accommodate the right humidity for hatching. But I’ve never tried. Will be following to see what others have to say.

 

[Molpet]

Depends on the hen
Usually they need to be broody over a week to accept chicks when they hatch. But some people have hens that takes anytime
I will put eggs in the incubator about the same time as the hen goes broody, and give her the eggs about 5 days before hatch.

 

[Willawong Hill]

I am interested to know how this went. I currently have eggs in the incubator on day 13, but the last lot I had a 0/12 hatch rate (9 infertile or early quitters, 1 blood ring by day 10 and 2 that died about day 18) so I'm wondering if i should move some to a broody hen. She's older but has never hatched before.

 

[hysop]

I am interested to know how this went. I currently have eggs in the incubator on day 13, but the last lot I had a 0/12 hatch rate (9 infertile or early quitters, 1 blood ring by day 10 and 2 that died about day 18) so I'm wondering if i should move some to a broody hen. She's older but has never hatched before.

What kind of incubator are you using? What temperature and humidity do you have it at?

How long has your broody been broody? It may help to create a new thread for additional help.

 

[Willawong Hill]

Thanks for that, my thread is here:
https://www.backyardchickens.com/threads/incubator-vs-broody-hen-dilemma.1435846/#post-23749767
It's a borrowed incubator, I am having trouble keeping the humidity up during lockdown, I can get it to 80% before I go to bed, but it's down to almost 40 in the morning. I have it set to 38.5C but i have another thermometer in there which reads 37C at the height the eggs are at so not sure which is right- if i have it too hot or too cold. Broody will have bene broody for about 2 weeks at the time of hatch, I would probably move the eggs at lockdown (4th Jan) if I was going to.

 

[JRies]

If you have a forced air system. There are a few tricks that sometimes work. Increese the exposure to water surface and increese the water surface. I had a small incubator on my first hatch a few years ago and used Sponges I saturated them with warm water and put them where where the air circulation hit the highest. I found I had to resoak the sponges daily so I would lay a warm soking wet towel over the incubator in order to open it to add new wet sponges just while I was exchanging this way I wasn't loosing the humidity I already had. Here are my baby's that hatched last night

 

[RebekahTN]

I have done this in the past.... We start a new batch of eggs hatching every week in the incubator for much of the year. When I have a broody hen I will sneak her eggs out from under her a week or so before hatch day and candle them. If there are any that aren't fertile or quit, I will replace them with eggs from ones of the same age in the incubator.
OR
I give her all new eggs (the same amount) from the bator that are going strong.

My hens aren't generally separated when broody and I will often have hens lay eggs on top of her or while she is getting food and drink so they are at different stages in hatching so it is just easier to replace all the eggs with ones the same age or slightly younger.... they have always taken to the chicks and have excellent hatch rates.

 

[Willawong Hill]

Thanks for your help @hysop @drakezilla and @RebekahTN

Drakezilla, I actually have a bit of aquarium tubing that allows me to add water without opening the incubator. I have tried a bunch of extra wet paper towel to help with humidity but will try the sponges next time. The eggs never internally or externally pipped so it wasn't shrink wrapping like you'd normally expect with low humidity. Your little fluffy duckling hatch is adorable!

Rebekah, glad to hear it's worked for you. I'm thinking about leaving half in the incubator and trying half under my broody lady so we'll see what works!

 

[JRies]

I like your though with the tubing the baby's are African geese. I have never hatched chickens but do great with ducks and am now working with geese to. There needs for humidity is huge. I also never trust a humonitor so usually run 2 to 3 with every hatch. Then judge how good I am doing with the air cell gain which is always right. Something you may want to try before lock down is to float your egg in 98 degree water. the wee ones are really hard to see moving but when you float the egg hold it really still then let go if the chick is alive and healthy it will move in the water. I have 5 that went into lock down this morning one I just couldn't see move but past the float test with flying colors and one who was just not developing as fast and it passed. You can float them without hurting them. My ducks and geese I put in warm water every other day for a moment before I turn them. Good luck with your hatch and let me know what happens with your broody hen.