Too old?

[CalebMS]

I'm thinking about about getting an incubator and hatching my own eggs. My hen (Broody) who is a Barred Plymouth Rock is almost 4, and I'm wondering if her eggs will be fertile, or is she too old?

 

[nuthatched]

Do you have a rooster? Is she's laying, she's fertile.

 

[CalebMS]

Do you have a rooster? Is she's laying, she's fertile.

Yes I do have a rooster (a Rhode Island Red around 7 mons) she is laying... But not a lot, around 2 eggs a week
And thank you!!!

 

[CalebMS]

Also do you have any info on getting her broody?

 

[BigBlueHen53]

If you have an incubator you don't need her to be broody. You're going to "brood" the eggs for her. Just collect the eggs at room temperature, fat end up, until you have as many as you want to hatch. If I remember correctly you should rock them from side to side a couple of times a day. Then put them all in the incubator on the same day and start your hatching journey!

 

[BigBlueHen53]

Actually somebody like @kattabelly can give you better instructions on this.

 

[nuthatched]

Also do you have any info on getting her broody?

You can't make a bird go broody, unfortunately .

 

[CalebMS]

You can't make a bird go broody, unfortunately .

Ok, thanks for the info!

 

[CalebMS]

If you have an incubator you don't need her to be broody. You're going to "brood" the eggs for her. Just collect the eggs at room temperature, fat end up, until you have as many as you want to hatch. If I remember correctly you should rock them from side to side a couple of times a day. Then put them all in the incubator on the same day and start your hatching journey!

Got it! Thanks!