borderboy 80 Posted May 11, 2008 Report Share Posted May 11, 2008 We're going to hatch a clutch of eggs in the hopes of getting a couple of extra hens to share the garden with our current old girl... we should have some fertile eggs lined up from a friend, we are hoping to just let our exisitng hen go broody and hatch them out for us.... but i was wondering how long it'd be until she started laying again...? and are there any common problems to look out for using this method to hatch some chicks...? Thanks BB Quote Link to post Share on other sites
wood smoke 0 Posted May 12, 2008 Report Share Posted May 12, 2008 Wait till your hen has gone down on her own eggs (the un fertile) then swap for the fertile ones...wait 21 days and roberts your farthers brother !!!! make sure in the nest box there is plenty of straw to cushion the eggs and then the chicks... also be careful storing the eggs you intend to use and remember to turn em...or mark em with a pencil not ink and slip em in the box now..... Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Ricky-N.p.p 0 Posted May 12, 2008 Report Share Posted May 12, 2008 why not ink ? Quote Link to post Share on other sites
wood smoke 0 Posted May 12, 2008 Report Share Posted May 12, 2008 Oyea to answer your question leave her rear her chicks till there perching then take her away and she will start laying again in approx a week but dont rush this.... Quote Link to post Share on other sites
wood smoke 0 Posted May 12, 2008 Report Share Posted May 12, 2008 why not ink ? Bye ink this would include felt tip..apparently it can seep through the egg and poison the embro.. if its true i dont know but wouldnt risk for the sake of a pencil Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Waz 4,266 Posted May 12, 2008 Report Share Posted May 12, 2008 Apparently the ink will poison the egg what with them being porous. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
borderboy 80 Posted May 13, 2008 Author Report Share Posted May 13, 2008 cheers for that, i won't have any problems if i leave the hen long-term with the chicks shes hatched...? Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Ricky-N.p.p 0 Posted May 13, 2008 Report Share Posted May 13, 2008 my mate has put hundreds of eggs into an incubator and they have all been marked with a felt tip.....hope they are ok Quote Link to post Share on other sites
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