4m x 3m Omlet pen, cube, new auto door still boxed and coop light

[atsw]

I've just been asked by a friend about the merits of hatching with a Broody vs. an Incubator. She has raised chicks with a broody in the past and it was fine. However, last time round the hen got up half way through (but it was a different hen to the first one).

 

The Hen she used first time round is broody again and has been sitting for 7-10 days. Do you think she'll do another 21 days if fertile eggs are put under her tonight? The eggs have been rested for 24hrs, so it's now or never!

 

I've suggested putting 6 under the broody and 6 in the Incy, with a view to introducing the incy chicks to the broody when they hatch (assuming the broody is still broody, or has hatched her own eggs).

 

What would you all do? I've sent my friend a link to this thread so she can read your replies, so don't let me down!

 

Andrew

[The Dogmother]

Personally I'd always use a broody, but that's just my preference. I am lucky to have a couple of excellent brooders/mothers.

[Egluntyne]

There is a lot of mess and faffing about with an incubator.

 

It is no less hit and miss than using a broody tbh.......

 

......and if your broody doesn't accept the chicks you have raised in the incubator, you wuill need a brooder too.

[teri]

i have only tried with a broody first attempt was a failiure, although not because of the broody. she got trapped out of the run and the eggs went cold she sat on them for nearly four weeks and when they didn't work i put some more under straight away! i now have seven great chicks. i have not needed to do anything except take pictures and provide food and shelter. beauty has done EVERYTHING!!! they are probably not quite as social as incubator chicks as they are handled less, but this is the only disadvantage to using a broody. (also i have four kids a dog and a cat so my broody was quite protective much better now and chicks warming to us all!)

[The Dogmother]

Using a broody is more enjoyable, apart from them doing all the work; it is so lovely to see them caring for and teaching the little 'uns.

[laurmurf]

having just hatched 6 under our broody Babs I can't imagine using an incubator if you had a choice (broodies don't always appear when you want or need one... we had to buy a broody )

 

Watching the babies run around Babs and copying her actions is endlessly entertaining. We love it when she chuckles to attract them when the live meal worms appear!

[Lesley]

I'd rather use a broody - for the same reasons as others have stated......less mess indoors, so much fun to see chicks with their mother...........

 

It could be worth trying to add incubated chicks to the broody at the same time as her hatchlings appear. You have to be careful to add them one at a time according to what I read some time ago. As Egluntine says though, you'd have to be ready to keep them in a brooder and raise them for at least 4 weeks if she won't accept them.