Should I or shouldn't I?

[JecaRaven]

My father-in-law has a Broody Americana that has been on the nest for the last three months. We don't have any roosters and we can't seem to break her of it. I was wondering if I should put some fertilized eggs under her. A local person is selling fertile eggs and I really want the chicks from them. Should I risk the eggs under that hen or should I put them in my incubator? My incubator is very old. A family member just gave it to me because their last hatch was two out of 28, But they didn't know how to gauge humidity. What do you think I should do?

 

[enola]

Three months is a long time, three weeks will make it nearly four months. I would worry about her finally giving up right in the middle of the hatch.

How is her body condition? If she seems to have lost a lot of weight, I really wouldn't do it.

 

[JecaRaven]

She is one of our most robust hens. She gets off the nest twice a day to eat.(that we know of) Every time we walk into the henhouse, she fluffs up bigger than a watermelon and chews us out like it was her first week on the nest. We've even removed her nest but sh just moves to another one with plastic eggs in it. If she stays like this she would be a great momma, but I'm terrified of her giving up halfway through on a real clutch.

 

[enola]

.......but I'm terrified of her giving up half way through the clutch......

You just answered your own question.

 

[lazy gardener]

I agree that she's been setting for a very long time. That takes a toll on a hen. But, if as you say, she's getting off and taking care of her needs, you could give her eggs, or you really need to break her. That can be done as simply as putting her in a tub of cold water to cool her belly. Re: giving her eggs: If you do so, give her a quiet spot where she won't be harassed by her flock mates. Give her a clutch of eggs, and leave her to her business. You say you're terrified that she'll be unsuccessful. If you don't give her eggs, how many chicks will you have? If you got these eggs, and ate them for breakfast... how many chicks would you have? On the other hand, if you give her eggs, she just might hatch them. Or she could abandon them mid way, and you could finish them off in your incubator. (Be sure to test it when you give her eggs so you'll be ready if you need to step in and help her.) Before you plug that bator in, please read: Hatching Eggs 101 in the learning center.

 

[JecaRaven]

The reason I am so worried is that I have to purchase the eggs because; 1 we don't have a rooster and 2 I want silkies. I can't find any young silkies locally.

Silkies are nature's antidepressants. Lol You can't be mad or sad when you see or hold one.

Yesterday, I lost the joys of my life to a pair of dogs who got in the yard when ours were locked up for the morning. They killed both my silkie and my RIR chic as well as my in-law's wynedott and half plucked their poor Brahma hen too. We are waiting to be sure if she is gonna live, still. 14 hens on the property and 2 of my 3 were killed...

RIP Fire and Poofpoof

 

[lazy gardener]

I'm so very sorry you lost your friends.

 

[JecaRaven]

I'm so very sorry you lost your friends.

I appreciate your condolences. I'm just a little paranoid because I think someone threw the dogs over the fence on purpose. There is no point of entry and even the dogs were confused how to get out. My new babies are getting their own run.