Setting Hen

[jhrutkay]

I have 40 eggs to hatch........want to put some in incubator and some under hen. (silkie).

Is it OK to mix the eggs that I put under the hen or should I put all the same breed under hen. Did not know if different eggs have different requirements or can I just put a variety pack under her and in the incubator.

Also, what should hygrometer read at beginning of hatch. I read about 65% and then increase to 75% when hatching. Is that accurate

 

[twigg]

Quote:
You can mix them, it doesn't matter. Just make sure that she really is broody.

RH should be 45 to 50 first 18 days, then 65-70

 

[jhrutkay]

You can tell I am new at this.

How do you tell if a hen is really broody. I have two silkies. I just got them.

I figured I would just put the eggs in there and they would cozy right up to them. Am I sadly mistaken?

 

[austinhart123]

ya you are, a hen will have to go broody on her own, when they are broody, they will sit in the nest all day and night, leaving once a day to poo, and eat, they will sit and growl when anyone comes close to the nest and walk around all puffed up and clucking when there not setting. im assuming your new hens are NOT broody yet so put all yur eggs in the bator, and if you ever think you have a broody and want to give her eggs, make sure she setts for two days atleast and if she does than uve got a broody

 

[Love my Critters!]

Yes I agree, once you have one go broody though, you can put what ever kind of eggs will fit under her. I have silkies and they will hatch and raise anything. Mine are not picky. If you have a nice nesting area and if your girls are laying, they may go broody soon. I have a silkie hen that has been sitting on infertile eggs for about a week, well yesterday I got 8 little chicks from the feed store, brought the momma silkie inside, put her in the box with the cheeps and she took over. 4 of the cheeps are EE's, so in no time they will be much larger than "mom".

Got to love those silkie hens.