Hen Question

patsman07

I had a rooster and four hens but the fox got three hens last week. I would like to get my one remaining hen to sit on some eggs to replace her sisters. I've read that if you put a hen in an enclosed space with a batch of eggs, she can become broody and will sit on the eggs. Im willing to give this a try but im wondering if I enclose her with some eggs today, if the eggs are a few days old already, will there be any chance they can develop into chicks? Or does the hen have to sit on fresh eggs?

Many thanks...

aonb

A hen who isnt inclined to sit on eggs, wont 'go' broody because she is enclosed with some eggs.
If the egg is stored around 50-60 degrees, for up to 7 days I think, they're still viable. Would you borrow/buy an incubator?
you might consider buying day old chicks since you are down to one unbroody hen?
Interesting article on the subject of hatching eggs:

http://www.the-chicken-chick.com/2012/09/hatch-along-with-chicken-chick-part-3.html

Future Farmer

patsman07 wrote: »

I had a rooster and four hens but the fox got three hens last week. I would like to get my one remaining hen to sit on some eggs to replace her sisters. I've read that if you put a hen in an enclosed space with a batch of eggs, she can become broody and will sit on the eggs. Im willing to give this a try but im wondering if I enclose her with some eggs today, if the eggs are a few days old already, will there be any chance they can develop into chicks? Or does the hen have to sit on fresh eggs?

Many thanks...

If a hen doesn't go sit as a pullet or the year after she will never sit.

Eggs hatched from incubators are less lightly to hatch their own chicks.

Bantums & Silkies are most lightly to go sit.

My advice to you - go on donedeal find a bantum or silkie cross hen (5-10euro) with a history of sitting, bring her home, when she goes sitting, buy Welsummer, RIR, light sussex or whatever fertile eggs, put them under her (10 eggs for a tenner).

Job done.

It could also just be easier to buy freshly hatched chicks - you don't seem to have very much experience.

Hesh's Umpire

Probably even easier to buy a few point of lay hens - with unsexed chicks you could wind up with a load of males.
Ever considered a few rescue hens? I got a few around a year ago, they've really thrived.

aonb

Hesh's Umpire wrote: »

Probably even easier to buy a few point of lay hens - with unsexed chicks you could wind up with a load of males.
Ever considered a few rescue hens? I got a few around a year ago, they've really thrived.

VERY valid point. Ive bought hens that were pre point-of-lay - and I thought I knew what I was doing - ended up with 5 males and 1 female :eek: - so definately worth buying point of lay from a reputable person who has sexed them. And as Hesh's Umpire says, ex-battery hens are worth considering if you can find them or get your name on a waiting list