Should I let my broody hen sit on and hatch eggs in february

[Genevieve Levicki]

I just lost my first hen, a silkie, to an animal attack. My poor silkie rooster wasnt able to defend her. I want to hatch her remaining eggs and was going to use an incubator, but my remaining hen is broody right now. Should I just have her sit on them and raise them? I live in Austin, so it's not that cold. I've never hatched chicks before.

 

[lena_]

I just lost my first hen, a silkie, to an animal attack. My poor silkie rooster wasnt able to defend her. I want to hatch her remaining eggs and was going to use an incubator, but my remaining hen is broody right now. Should I just have her sit on them and raise them? I live in Austin, so it's not that cold. I've never hatched chicks before.

Up to you, personally I'd use an incubator. I couldn't bear stressing over wether or not my beloved hen's last eggs would be killed by another animal.

 

[Hufflefluff]

Yeah, go ahead. The hen will appreciate it, and she'll probably do a better job than an incubator anyway If it's not cold, then the fact that it's February should have little affect on her or the chicks.

Sorry about your hens- I hope the rest of your flock is okay

 

[cavemanrich]

Do it to it. And I wish you success. Sorry to hear your loss.
Silkie roosters are not in the most defender category. They are docile. (most). Not many roosters are capable to protect against mean predators. The best job they do is provide advance warning so the hens can take cover.
WISHING YOU BEST....

 

[Smuvers Farm]

As stated, go for it... and you would have a better hatch rate letting your broody set the eggs rather than incubator. Good luck and make an incubating thread!!!

 

[Genevieve Levicki]

What do I do about the nesting box being over 2 feet above the ground? Should I let the chicks stay outside with the hen or should I bring them in to a brooder after hatching? Also, should I candle the eggs during incubation or just leave it to chance?

 

[ChickNanny13]

I no expert but would leave the chicks for the hen to raise, easier on you. Think the height is ok, do you have shavings below?

 

[Genevieve Levicki]

I no expert but would leave the chicks for the hen to raise, easier on you. Think the height is ok, do you have shavings below?

No shavings, but it is grass underneath. Sort of. I can put shavings though if needed.

 

[pennyJo1960]

I just lost my first hen, a silkie, to an animal attack. My poor silkie rooster wasnt able to defend her. I want to hatch her remaining eggs and was going to use an incubator, but my remaining hen is broody right now. Should I just have her sit on them and raise them? I live in Austin, so it's not that cold. I've never hatched chicks before.

Welcome to Backyard Chickens if your other is broody please to let her hatch them

 

[Smuvers Farm]

What do I do about the nesting box being over 2 feet above the ground? Should I let the chicks stay outside with the hen or should I bring them in to a brooder after hatching? Also, should I candle the eggs during incubation or just leave it to chance?

You can either move the nesting box to the ground OR you can try to move the current nesting box into a brooder indoors. Your choice. There aren't any other chickens there to disturb her correct?

Also, no NEED to candle, but you can just to see how far they are coming along. It's always interesting to do so.

TO CANDLE EGGS:

ONLY remove 2-3 at a time. You don't want any eggs out from under her for longer than 20 minutes in total. Make sure you mark each egg with a letter or number. Lets' say you are setting 6 eggs.

Remove 3 eggs (doesn't matter which numbers). Bring them inside and candle. Write down the egg number, date and how they look. Take the 3 eggs back outside. Remove the other 3 eggs and slip the first 3 eggs back under mama. Repeat the number, date and how they look. Slip them back under mama.

You'll want to do this on day 3/4, day 9/10, day 13/14 and POSSIBLY day 17/18 if any were looking *off*. After day 18, leave mama and the eggs ALONE. Do not pick her up off the eggs, even if you hear peeping. Leave her be!!! If you bother her too much while there are eggs unhatched, you could break her and she'll abandon possibly unhatched eggs.