snailsandchickens Posted April 30, 2011 Share Posted April 30, 2011 Hello all you chicken lovers I am thinking of trying out for some chicks, I don't have a cockerel but was going to get some eggs from eBay or another place ( any tips welcome on buying fertile eggs) but I wanted to make one of my hens broody is that possible I only have egg laying hybrids at the mo was maybe thinking of getting a bantam a broody one for sitting and hatching the eggs any thoughts or tips are most welcome my chicken guru friends Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest Posted April 30, 2011 Share Posted April 30, 2011 you can't force a hen to go broody, it would be handy if you could as I'd like to hatch some chicks too but am nervous about using an incubator/brooder. What will you do with any cockerels that you may hatch? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mollie333 Posted April 30, 2011 Share Posted April 30, 2011 No way of making a hen go broody, unfortunately, but mine sometimes tend to go broody if i leave some eggs in there. I had no broodies when i didn't have a incubator, and now i do and i have 5! What breed are the hens? Some breeds (such as Pekins, Silkies, Silkie crosses ect)are more prone to going broody, whereas Hybrids aren't. Please have a home for any cockerels, or be responsible enough to 'do the deed'. With hatching eggs, i find that posting them can damage the egg and makes them less fertile, that's why i don't post many.. I sent some to a friend and two cracked from postage, even though they was securely wrapped up. It would be better to find a breeder nearby and pick them up. If you do get eggs by post i'd let them settle for 24 hours before putting them under a broody. Good luck. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
snailsandchickens Posted May 1, 2011 Author Share Posted May 1, 2011 Good point about the cockerel as I said I am thinking about it all my hens are hybrids I don't want to get a incubator so maybe for the time being I will be happy with my four layers thank you for the advise your stars x Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
