Hatching Eggs Naturally

From time to time one or more of your hens may go broody (most likely during the spring and summer months). You may wish to take advantage of their broodiness and put some fertilized eggs under them to hatch out naturally (the broody hen does not have to be the natural mother, so you can buy some ready to hatch eggs if you do not have a rooster yourself). Generally, it is best to choose a medium sized hen for the job (i.e one that is not too fat and clumsy) – she should also preferably have a gentle temperament and not be too much of a fidget.

To hatch her eggs the hen will need a comfortable nest box which is big enough for her turn around in and adjust herself as necessary. It should be positioned so that the other hens cannot interfere with her. Generally, a good size for a nest box is around 12x12. A large soap box (or anything similar) with two-thirds of the top removed, and turned on its side would make a suitable nestbox (see illustration below).

Set on the floor of the laying room or on a shelf with the open side toward the wall but a few feet away from it, a box of this kind can make a nice secluded nesting place when needed - when a hen becomes broody, simply move the box a bit nearer to the wall to keep the other hens out (alternatively you can partition the broody hen and nest in her own area).

The nest should be made of some soft material, broken oat straw or hay, carefully spread out and pressed down, lightly hollowed and with the edges raised a little to prevent the eggs from rolling out. If the bottom is made too flat the eggs roll away from the hen and she cannot cover them; if too convex, they will roll close together, and when the hen enters the nest and steps on them or among them they do not separate or roll away and a fouled nest is the result. It also helps to put some feed and water in reach of the sitting hen as ocassionally you can get a hen that is so intent on hatching she forgets to leave the nest to eat and drink (most will get off the
nest at least once a day).

If you need to replace non-fertile eggs with fertile eggs (for instance if you do not have a rooster and have bought in some fertile eggs), it is easiest to make the switch after dark – just reach under your broody hen (or lift her up), and swap them in. Don’t worry if she growls or tries to peck you, it is perfectly normal (hence the reason why it is easiest to do it at night when she is sleepy!).

The above photo has been sent in by Susan Taylor of her recent successful Broody hatch : 2 Columbian Pekins and 3 Belgian D'Anvers chicks - congratulations Susan!