Nature Vs Incubator

[walldanzig]

This week and next I have two lots of chicks hatching one lot have been sat in my incuabtor the other lot of been sat under my broody light sussex bantam. I think it will be interesting to see how both lots develop and if there is any differences between them and the rate at which they grow

[bluemoon]

This will be a good experiment. Are the eggs the same breed, from the same source? I've this idea that natural brooding is best, but I've absolutely no evidence to back it up.

[RichmondHens]

I have found the incubation method makes no difference, but the brooding after hatching does. If they are raised by a hen, they have a natural sleep/wake cycle, grow a little more slowly but ultimately are better at foraging etc once turned loose. The chicks I have raised in a brooder grow faster (under a lamp they are awake more often and therefore feeding more often) but slower to gain "life skills".

It will be interesting for you to compare your two lots to see if you get the same results.

[bluemoon]

That would have been my guess, RH. I suppose it depends what you want the chickens for. In my case they'll be layers living on a fairly exposed northern lottie, which is why I think they might be better off with the life-skills learned from 'Mum'.

[walldanzig]

they are both a mixture of rhode island reds and light sussex but both from the same source. I'll take pictures and keep you updated. They are for laying but I have this feeling that the hen raised chicks will be hardier I always like nature above artificial methods it's worked for thousands of years and is proven right over and over again

[walldanzig]

Day 20 and the incubator ones are pipping not sure about the ones under the hen she attacks me like crazy

[Snadger]

Day 20 and the incubator ones are pipping not sure about the ones under the hen she attacks me like crazy

Depending on how many she hatches naturally, you may be able to sneak some young chicks in with her brood?

[walldanzig]

mmmm never thought of that

[walldanzig]

The Chicks under the hen have hatched and are all under Mum 5 out of the 6 hatched. Which compared to the incubator which was 5 out of twelve is very good. They have all fluffed up really well which with the incubator took some time. So far the hen is beating the incubator hands down

[di]

Sorry I only just noticed this!
We recently hatched some under a broody & some in an incubator.Although the ones under Marigold/Dandelion were due two days before the incubated ones,they all arrived about the same time.As you said,the ones under mummy fluffed up a lot quicker than those at home.
The other interesting difference & I wish I could link to another thread now,We know that three of the four incubated are boys(& pretty sure our Pip is too),whereas the natural ones are,we think,four out of five girls. I don't know when sex is determined & maybe it's a total coincidence,but it'd be interesting to hear what yours turn out to be.
Congratulations on your bundles of fluff...Enjoy!

[walldanzig]

The ones in the incubator are Blubells and we had 3 girls and two boys not sure about the ones under the hen as they are not sex linked

[MaureenHall]

The ones in the incubator are Blubells and we had 3 girls and two boys not sure about the ones under the hen as they are not sex linked

That's interesting about the Bluebelles, what's the visible difference between the boys and the girls?

[walldanzig]

Girls are black boys are lemon(so I was told on here)

[RichmondHens]

Congrats WDZ. 5 out of 6 under a hen is a good hatch. They fluff up quicker under the hen because of the hen's feathers rubbing against them (acts like a towel), whereas the incubator ones have to literally stand and dry.

[walldanzig]

Thanks all appreciated piccies below