trappa 518 Posted May 4, 2011 Report Share Posted May 4, 2011 Is it possible/practical to put hen eggs in an incubator then in the last few days slip them under a broody hen to mother and raise them? Long story why i ask. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
burnie69 376 Posted May 4, 2011 Report Share Posted May 4, 2011 Yes i've never done it but a good friend has with about 4-5 days to hatch just make sure you keep the hen or bantam broody trappa regarsds burnie. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
SKINNYBOY 1 Posted May 4, 2011 Report Share Posted May 4, 2011 trappa why dont you hatch them out and put them under the heat lamp Quote Link to post Share on other sites
gamerooster 1,179 Posted May 4, 2011 Report Share Posted May 4, 2011 trappa why dont you hatch them out and put them under the heat lamp why do all the work when a hen will do it for you? just commonn sence Quote Link to post Share on other sites
trappa 518 Posted May 5, 2011 Author Report Share Posted May 5, 2011 Cheers boys. Im looking for an incubator now on fleabay. I Plan on letting that do most of the 'cooking' then slip them under a broody for last week or so, sounds like a good plan to me! Quote Link to post Share on other sites
cumbye 36 Posted May 5, 2011 Report Share Posted May 5, 2011 Cheers boys. Im looking for an incubator now on fleabay. I Plan on letting that do most of the 'cooking' then slip them under a broody for last week or so, sounds like a good plan to me! plenty things can go wrong in an inc,if ya got a hen sitting,best way is use her all the way,its nature,and no leccy bill, best of luck!! Quote Link to post Share on other sites
trappa 518 Posted May 6, 2011 Author Report Share Posted May 6, 2011 I understand mate but i have a reason for asking and im not happy to talk about it in an open forum. For my circumstances i think incu then hen is best way to go. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
artic 595 Posted May 6, 2011 Report Share Posted May 6, 2011 Sometimes a broody can come off the eggs, and it's usually around the 18 day mark. They can also throw aside new eggs added. How old is this hen, and what breed is it? I'd fire up your incubator at 16 days, that way you will have it running a few days to see if the temp is steady, then if the hen decides to give up, place all eggs in the incubator. Good luck, and happy hatching! Quote Link to post Share on other sites
jasper65 6 Posted May 6, 2011 Report Share Posted May 6, 2011 Sometimes a broody can come off the eggs, and it's usually around the 18 day mark. They can also throw aside new eggs added. How old is this hen, and what breed is it? I'd fire up your incubator at 16 days, that way you will have it running a few days to see if the temp is steady, then if the hen decides to give up, place all eggs in the incubator. Good luck, and happy hatching! Bang On. Had this happen a few times Arctic I used silkies in the past to cover eggs when they've gone broody but the eggs I was running pip at around 32 days, I noticed she was getting restless at round 15 - 20 days so they was placed in the Inc. I think all Incubators are a good means to an end but can be a bit hit and miss if eggs are Fresh and not being weighed down. I try to get around 8 - 10 days good natural Incubation then place them in the Inc to finish them off! it definitely improves the hatch rate after some good natural incubation. weighing fresh eggs also puts you in the picture too as to how the egg is running, it gives you a idea as to weather they are loseing too much weight or too little, the egg can then be corrected and brought back on track at the pip stage . atb Jasp Quote Link to post Share on other sites
trappa 518 Posted May 6, 2011 Author Report Share Posted May 6, 2011 Cheers boys, some excellent replies. Appreciated. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Butler 396 Posted May 6, 2011 Report Share Posted May 6, 2011 You can't beat a good broody but a bator can also be a good tool. Most hens lift early because of parasites in the nest no other reason. Some of the broodiest breeds can be double and even treble clutched removing eggs as they pip and replace them with a fresh lot. This method can be a little rough on the hens but as long as they are lifted once a day to eat and drink they shouldn't come to any harm. As jasper has said the best way to use an incubator to help you out is to give the eggs a week natural incubation under the hen then swap them to the machine. Doing it the other way round isn't as good because any mistakes made by you can't be put right no matter how good a broody you have. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
artic 595 Posted May 6, 2011 Report Share Posted May 6, 2011 You can't beat a good broody but a bator can also be a good tool. Most hens lift early because of parasites in the nest no other reason. Some of the broodiest breeds can be double and even treble clutched removing eggs as they pip and replace them with a fresh lot. This method can be a little rough on the hens but as long as they are lifted once a day to eat and drink they shouldn't come to any harm. As jasper has said the best way to use an incubator to help you out is to give the eggs a week natural incubation under the hen then swap them to the machine. Doing it the other way round isn't as good because any mistakes made by you can't be put right no matter how good a broody you have. I have to disagree with you on the parasite side of things. Yes this can be a factor, but not the ONLY reason why they lift. All birds and nests should be dusted/sprayed with the right chemical before placing it in it's quarters to sit out the clutch. Sometimes, they just have enough, or they are young hens and not cover all of the eggs ect..... Yes your right, I've will make them double if need be, but that will be it. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Dabhand 887 Posted May 6, 2011 Report Share Posted May 6, 2011 tried this the other day i had a gold top hen sit for 3 days and had the bater full and they started piping i pulled all the eggs from it and put them under the hen shes now walking around with 16 chicks and it only took her 4 days and no lamp is running lol Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Butler 396 Posted May 7, 2011 Report Share Posted May 7, 2011 You can't beat a good broody but a bator can also be a good tool. Most hens lift early because of parasites in the nest no other reason. Some of the broodiest breeds can be double and even treble clutched removing eggs as they pip and replace them with a fresh lot. This method can be a little rough on the hens but as long as they are lifted once a day to eat and drink they shouldn't come to any harm. As jasper has said the best way to use an incubator to help you out is to give the eggs a week natural incubation under the hen then swap them to the machine. Doing it the other way round isn't as good because any mistakes made by you can't be put right no matter how good a broody you have. I have to disagree with you on the parasite side of things. Yes this can be a factor, but not the ONLY reason why they lift. All birds and nests should be dusted/sprayed with the right chemical before placing it in it's quarters to sit out the clutch. Sometimes, they just have enough, or they are young hens and not cover all of the eggs ect..... Yes your right, I've will make them double if need be, but that will be it. Didn't mean it as they only leave a nest because of parasites.I said most of the time they lift through no other reason but parasites in the nest. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
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