Incubating with Broody Hens

In the first in a series on chicken breeding using broody hens, Fiona & Hugh Osborne explain why this is a valid model for the smallholder.

- Fiona & Hugh Osborne

At this time of year, the thought of tiny chicks fill many people's minds. Hatching and raising their own chickens is a lovely thought. There are articles and articles out there supporting chicken keepers using artificial incubators and brooders to hatch and raise chicks but we are more traditional. We have been told on more than one occasion that serious breeders don't use broody hens, that this is only for hobby breeders and amateurs. We wholeheartedly disagree. We believe it's possible for a smallholder to have a professional chicken breeding programme by using broody hens for incubation. We choose to utilise nature's way of rearing chicks and we consider the broody hen improves the rearing of chicks and the socialisation of the resulting birds.

OUR CHICKEN BREEDING BACKGROUND

My husband Hugh and I breed Buff Orpington's and we make use of the natural broody tendencies of this wonderful breed to incubate, hatch and raise the next generation of Orpingtons. This might be something that appeals to you if for no other reason than the joy of watching a broody hen scuttling along with tiny chicks running to keep up.

Many people will let their broody hen find a quiet spot in the coop, let her get on with it and let nature take its course. There's nothing wrong with this approach at all, but we know from our experience that it can be improved upon.