[slurp]

I am thinking of buying 10 fertile eggs from ebay then getting hold of a broody hen to hatch them am i being over optimistic ,is 10 eggs too many for one broody hen? :?

[Vember]

Hi Slurp

It really all depends on the size of your hen

I've had a light sussex hatch out 3 Goslings and Goosey eggs are quite big  

I've known a banty hatch out 12 of her own eggies  

Like I say depends on the hen.

Tip for ebay I've bought 4 lots of eggs this year an hatched max of 4 out of 6, min 2 out of 6 I always go for the buy it now rather than the auctions. But you can't gaurentee the eggs once they've gone through the post, make sure you get next day delivery on them.


Good Luck


Sarah

[Bodger]

It depends upon the size of the eggs as well. I've had game hens hatch 14 of their own eggs, but the same birds would struggle to cover 9 or 10 large breed eggs from say Light Sussex or Maran.

[slurp]

well the eggs will be hybrid warrens .I would need advice on the broody hen as i would either need to buy or borrow one [i am based in sheffield ]Are hens only broody at certain times? do they resume egg laying after hatching their chicks?

[chooknewbie]

um, its my understanding that warrens are bred not to be broody... at least that what i was told which is why i bought an incy.... dont want to pee on your fireworks and all that but be prepared for them not to go broody...

[Vember]

My sussex are great broodies, make fab mum's . Also Silkies are good broodies.

But they're not broody all the time, no hen is.
If a hen is already broody when you buy it, moving it to a new house etc might well cause the hen to stop being broody.  

In my opinion you would be better getting 2/3 hens and think about getting eggs next spring. It's getting a bit late in the year now for chicks to fully feather up before the on set of winter.




Sarah

[Kate and her Ducks]

Would start with the broody and then get the eggs rather than the other way round!

[slurp]

thanks for your replies i think i will wait till next spring and try to borrow a local broody hen first then get the eggs