Using a Broody to Hatch "Winter" Chicks

[ChickensByTheBeach]

I just ordered my FIRST EVER batch of hatching eggs to arrive in 3 weeks. By then it will be deep February... but winter in Santa Cruz CA is hardly winter at all. Temps will be in the low 50s at night.

I have six silkie hens who all seem to take turns holding down the egg box. Currently I have three fully broody silkies. Not so lucky me.

Here's my dilemma, will any of these ladies still be broody by the time my eggs arrive on the scene? Do I have to plan my shipment for right when I see a silkie start to go broody?? Should I buy a back-up incubator just in case?? Thanks for the help.

 

[sfgwife]

If they are not broken by then you shouldnt let any of those sit on them. Broodin is hard on a hen. Sittin six weeks and you may lose a hen. Break them all now and hope you have one ready to sit when you have eggs. Yea have an incubator just in case.

 

[Jucknath]

sfgwife is right on. You can always take eggs from the incubator and put under a hen when you know she is serious.

 

[Feathers4Fun2]

If they are not broken by then you shouldnt let any of those sit on them. Broodin is hard on a hen. Sittin six weeks and you may lose a hen. Break them all now and hope you have one ready to sit when you have eggs. Yea have an incubator just in case.

What is meant by the term "Broken by then"?

 

[Feathers4Fun2]

If you want to hatch eggs on your schedule an incubator is highly recommended. What type of eggs did you order? From who? I have not ordered hatching eggs before so if you can help me with the thought process it would be much appreciated. Thanks. I hatch my own Rhode Island Red eggs and have not been sold on the idea of mail-ordering.

 

[sfgwife]

What is meant by the term "Broken by then"?

Broken of the broodiness.

 

[ChickensByTheBeach]

If you want to hatch eggs on your schedule an incubator is highly recommended. What type of eggs did you order? From who? I have not ordered hatching eggs before so if you can help me with the thought process it would be much appreciated. Thanks. I hatch my own Rhode Island Red eggs and have not been sold on the idea of mail-ordering.

I ordered Serama eggs from a hatchery. I can’t get the chicks mailed and they are too rare for my local feed stores to order. I was hopeful that with a band of boody bantams, I wouldn’t need to incubate...but I’m rethinking my plan.

 

[Crazy for Chickens!]

I just ordered my FIRST EVER batch of hatching eggs to arrive in 3 weeks. By then it will be deep February... but winter in Santa Cruz CA is hardly winter at all. Temps will be in the low 50s at night.

I have six silkie hens who all seem to take turns holding down the egg box. Currently I have three fully broody silkies. Not so lucky me.

Here's my dilemma, will any of these ladies still be broody by the time my eggs arrive on the scene? Do I have to plan my shipment for right when I see a silkie start to go broody?? Should I buy a back-up incubator just in case?? Thanks for the help.

Most silkies will well brood for a while. I don't think you should break them. I also don't think that they will die, and it is hard on them. Dickens are meant to go broody. Of course, some are more serious, so I just keep some water nearby, and give them food. I think you should get an incubated in case, but I think there is a good chance one will be broody.

 

[Feathers4Fun2]

I ordered Serama eggs from a hatchery. I can’t get the chicks mailed and they are too rare for my local feed stores to order. I was hopeful that with a band of boody bantams, I wouldn’t need to incubate...but I’m rethinking my plan.

I prefer to let mama hatch her own eggs. I really enjoy watching the process and how the hen protects and teaches her chicks, but the RIR & Plymouth Rock are not the broodiest birds - I'm building my flock basically from scratch so I found the incubator a very handy tool. Speaking of handy tools I ran across a project in the Netherlands called "Project In Ovo" This project is all about determining the sex of a chick before it is hatched. So much for taking the guess work out of straight runs.

 

[Diannastarr]

I just ordered my FIRST EVER batch of hatching eggs to arrive in 3 weeks. By then it will be deep February... but winter in Santa Cruz CA is hardly winter at all. Temps will be in the low 50s at night.

I have six silkie hens who all seem to take turns holding down the egg box. Currently I have three fully broody silkies. Not so lucky me.

Here's my dilemma, will any of these ladies still be broody by the time my eggs arrive on the scene? Do I have to plan my shipment for right when I see a silkie start to go broody?? Should I buy a back-up incubator just in case?? Thanks for the help.

THANKS i was going to ask those very same questions, right on ..!!!!