Broody hen waiting on eggs

[LaurasNew]

Hi All, I have a broody Brahma, she has been broody for 4 days now. I decided I will get her some eggs to hatch. They will be here in 3 days, my question is, will she stay broody if I let her sit in the nesting box on golf balls ( I don't have any fake eggs)? Can I just swap these out with the fertilised eggs as soon as they arrive (py post) or do the eggs need to rest first? Thanks in advance

 

[nuthatched]

It's really up to her, but generally yes.

 

[LaurasNew]

Thanks for your reply, so I'll just swap them out and see how she goes!

 

[Ridgerunner]

If she is truly broody I'd expect her to stay broody until the eggs hatch. Those gold balls should work well.

You don't know how much they have been shaken during transport. If they haven't been shaken much they should be OK to go straight under her. I don't know what time of day you will get them but it will not hurt to wait until the next morning to put them under her.

 

[LaurasNew]

Great, thank you! She is truly broody! I have collected all eggs, lifted her out, closed up the boxes, everything but chicken jail and she keeps finding new places to feather a 'nest' even with no eggs available! I want to keep her safe of course so when she found a safe spot today (easily enough adapted for chicks) I decided we will give her eggs! I'm excited but nervous too!

 

[Ridgerunner]

When you get them, mark the eggs so you can identify them. I use a black Sharpie and draw a couple of lines around the egg. Then every day after the others have finished laying check under her and remove any eggs that do not belong. Whether they are fertilized or not you can still use them as long as you remove any extras every day. You do not want the number of eggs to build up to the point she cannot cover all of them.

 

[LaurasNew]

Thanks, the box she's chosen now has never been used by the others so should be ok in that regard, but will def mark just in case, thank you