Tis Time for a March 2020 Hatch-a-long!

[Mylied]

My silkie eggs go into lockdown tomorrow. Tonight I realize one of my silkie hens has gone broody again. What do you think about me giving her a few chicks when they hatch or give her the chicks that hatched last week? I only have 3 silkie hens and am only getting one egg a day from the 3 as it is. I‘d like to reduce her down time. She’s stubborn. I tried breaking her the last time. Thoughts welcome.

I'd give her newy hatched chicks not older ones. Just as she won't recognise the older ones as hers, the chicks won't know the broody mom and will wonder off.

 

[Phillyndilly]

So sorry she didnt make it! These things are very rarely our own fault, there are so many variables beyond our control when hatching babies. They are fragile and frankly not all of them are equipped to make it out here in the big world. This is why chickens make so many babies, it really is a biological strategy. If you have a bunch of babies but have to put relatively little care (say, compared to most mammalian babies) into them, you are still likely to raise a fair amount to adulthood. Please dont blame yourself for what is beyond your control.❤ it's okay to feel sad, but it wasn't your fault.

Thank you so much. We had a little funeral for the chick today. It did look so peaceful. I have 18 in lock down now, I’m just going to try my best. Yes I guess you are right that probably is the reason they have so many babies I never thought of it that way. Well I have two weeks off like a lot of people now so I will be around to make sure I monitor them well and watch the humidity I hope that helps.

 

[CluckNDoodle]

My silkie eggs go into lockdown tomorrow. Tonight I realize one of my silkie hens has gone broody again. What do you think about me giving her a few chicks when they hatch or give her the chicks that hatched last week? I only have 3 silkie hens and am only getting one egg a day from the 3 as it is. I‘d like to reduce her down time. She’s stubborn. I tried breaking her the last time. Thoughts welcome.

I would give her babies that a within a few days old. You can sometimes get away with giving some broody hens slightly older babies but if they act afraid of the hen there's a higher likelihood she won't accept them. I would also put them under her wings after dark, it seems to make the transition go more smoothly. Good luck!

 

[BluebirdHomestead]

She looks like she's smiling?!?

Totally!!!

 

[beth1004]

I would give her babies that a within a few days old. You can sometimes get away with giving some broody hens slightly older babies but if they act afraid of the hen there's a higher likelihood she won't accept them. I would also put them under her wings after dark, it seems to make the transition go more smoothly. Good luck!

Thanks Andrea! I knew to wait until dark. thanks for the under the wing tip. I'll wait for the silkies to hatch.

 

[CluckNDoodle]

Thanks Andrea! I knew to wait until dark. thanks for the under the wing tip. I'll wait for the silkies to hatch.

Good luck! ❤ Be sure to post picture when you do! I love broody hens!

 

[gmjarvi]

Thank you so much. We had a little funeral for the chick today. It did look so peaceful. I have 18 in lock down now, I’m just going to try my best. Yes I guess you are right that probably is the reason they have so many babies I never thought of it that way. Well I have two weeks off like a lot of people now so I will be around to make sure I monitor them well and watch the humidity I hope that helps.

I'm sure you'll do great! It's apparent that you care a great deal and that's important!

 

[smfarman]

My understanding is a hatchery is basically an incubator set up for hatching. Which mean no turner/turning, higher humidity, and +/- slightly lower temp.

I see you have a staggered hatch. This makes things complicated but can be done successfully. I know how I would handle eggs 1 week apart but don't feel, even after 3 years of hatching, I have enough experience to advise you. I think there is a staggered hatching thread on here. That might be the place to go for advice on your specific situation.

Thank you UThobbyfarmer, I will check it out

 

[FortCluck]

Can't believe I have chicks hatching on Sunday! I swear the time flew this time, but maybe because everything else going on in the world.

 

[FortCluck]

Is a Hatcher the same thing as an incubator, but setup for just hatching eggs. So, you would be running 2 incubators, is this correct

Yes that is correct. I do staggered hatches in one incubator and it's such a pain! I'm shocked my chicken eggs made it through a staggered hatch with duck eggs without any negative effects because I did have to jump up the humidity a few times when they were hatching (I never use water in my incubators usually). This time my chicken eggs are hatching before the duck eggs so I won't have an issue.

I just need to remember this time to put the shelf liner so my incubator stays clean.