I never intended to hatch my own chicks but chicken math has no regard for my plans. My hatching addiction started innocently enough with a request for a Brinsea incubator for my birthday a few years ago. After witnessing the miracle of my first chick hatching,  I had The Fever, for which there is no cure. The idea that an egg can transform from potential breakfast food into fluffy cuteness in 21 days completely captivates me. The Fever has taken over my kitchen counter, garage and basement and demanded the construction of a second coop. If you build it, more will hatch.

My husband built the "Little Deuce Coop."My husband built the “Little Deuce Coop.”

The most dangerous thing you can give a hatch-a-holic (besides an incubator) is a rooster as he will ensure a steady supply of fertile, hatching eggs to fuel The Fever indefinitely. Max is my Black Copper Marans

The most dangerous thing you can give a hatch-a-holic (besides an incubator) is a rooster as he will ensure a steady supply of fertile, hatching eggs to fuel The Fever indefinitely. Max is my Black Copper Marans (BCM) fella and regretfully, he must be re-homed soon. Armed with the knowledge that Max is leaving and taking his genes with him, I have been hoarding the fertile, BCM and Ameraucana eggs for weeks.

Armed with the knowledge that Max is leaving and taking his genes with him, I have been hoarding the fertile, BCM and Ameraucana eggs for weeks.
It seems such a waste of good genetics to eat these beauties

My bators only accommodate seven eggs each and I have been filling them religiously every 21 days for a few months in anticipation of Max’s departure. I have more eggs than I can fit in my bators and, as luck would have it, I have four hens that are broody! (evil laugh) A broody hen is one who is inspired (by lighting conditions and hormones) to sit on eggs and hatch chicks.

I never intended to hatch my own chicks but chicken math has no regard for my plans. My hatching addiction started innocently enough with a request for a Brinsea incubator for my birthday a few years ago. After witnessing the miracle of my first chick hatching, I had The Fever, for which there is no cure. The idea that an egg can transform from potential breakfast food into fluffy cuteness in 21 days completely captivates me. The Fever has taken over my kitchen counter, garage and basement and demanded the construction of a second coop.
SuperBroody, April (a Buff Orpington)
SuperBroody, April (a Buff Orpington)

Since broodies occupy all four of my nest boxes, the other hens are forced to lay eggs in the corner of the coop or double-up in a nesting box to lay eggs. If for some reason I was not going to allow my hens to hatch eggs (for instance, if I had no fertile eggs for them) then I would have to ‘break’ them of their maternal aspirations. The reasons to break up a broody hen and how to do so can be found here.

I never intended to hatch my own chicks but chicken math has no regard for my plans. My hatching addiction started innocently enough with a request for a Brinsea incubator for my birthday a few years ago. After witnessing the miracle of my first chick hatching, I had The Fever, for which there is no cure. The idea that an egg can transform from potential breakfast food into fluffy cuteness in 21 days completely captivates me. The Fever has taken over my kitchen counter, garage and basement and demanded the construction of a second coop.
Since broodies occupy all four of my nest boxes, the other hens are forced to lay eggs in the corner of the coop or double-up in a nesting box to lay eggs. If for some reason I was not going to allow my hens to hatch eggs (for instance, if I had no fertile eggs for them) then I would have to 'break' them of their maternal aspirations.

Broodies are fiercely protective of their eggs, growling at and pecking at any perceived threat. This makes egg-collecting a challenge. At the risk of invoking their motherly wrath, I check underneath them for eggs several times each day. During this morning’s rounds, I was pleasantly surprised to hear cheeping coming from the nest boxes. Rachel, who had been broody for fewer than ten days, was obviously as surprised as I was to learn the sounds were coming from underneath her.

Since broodies occupy all four of my nest boxes, the other hens are forced to lay eggs in the corner of the coop or double-up in a nesting box to lay eggs. If for some reason I was not going to allow my hens to hatch eggs (for instance, if I had no fertile eggs for them) then I would have to 'break' them of their maternal aspirations.
The nest looks like a pillow fight broke out and the reason for that is broodies pluck feathers off themselves to allow the warmth of their skin to make direct contact with the eggs.

The nest looks like a pillow fight broke out and the reason for that is broodies pluck feathers off themselves to allow the warmth of their skin to make direct contact with the eggs.  I don’t mind being a hatch-a-holic and look forward to having The Fever indefinitely. It is a privilege to have a front-row seat to witness the miracle of life.

Kathy Shea Mormino

Affectionately known internationally as The Chicken Chick®, Kathy Shea Mormino shares a fun-loving, informative style to raising backyard chickens. …Read on

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I never intended to hatch my own chicks but chicken math has no regard for my plans. My hatching addiction started innocently enough with a request for a Brinsea incubator for my birthday a few years ago. After witnessing the miracle of my first chick hatching,  I had The Fever, for which there is no cure. The idea that an egg can transform from potential breakfast food into fluffy cuteness in 21 days completely captivates me. The Fever has taken over my kitchen counter, garage and basement and demanded the construction of a second coop. If you build it, more will hatch.

My husband built the "Little Deuce Coop."My husband built the “Little Deuce Coop.”

The most dangerous thing you can give a hatch-a-holic (besides an incubator) is a rooster as he will ensure a steady supply of fertile, hatching eggs to fuel The Fever indefinitely. Max is my Black Copper Marans

The most dangerous thing you can give a hatch-a-holic (besides an incubator) is a rooster as he will ensure a steady supply of fertile, hatching eggs to fuel The Fever indefinitely. Max is my Black Copper Marans (BCM) fella and regretfully, he must be re-homed soon. Armed with the knowledge that Max is leaving and taking his genes with him, I have been hoarding the fertile, BCM and Ameraucana eggs for weeks.

Armed with the knowledge that Max is leaving and taking his genes with him, I have been hoarding the fertile, BCM and Ameraucana eggs for weeks.
It seems such a waste of good genetics to eat these beauties

My bators only accommodate seven eggs each and I have been filling them religiously every 21 days for a few months in anticipation of Max’s departure. I have more eggs than I can fit in my bators and, as luck would have it, I have four hens that are broody! (evil laugh) A broody hen is one who is inspired (by lighting conditions and hormones) to sit on eggs and hatch chicks.

I never intended to hatch my own chicks but chicken math has no regard for my plans. My hatching addiction started innocently enough with a request for a Brinsea incubator for my birthday a few years ago. After witnessing the miracle of my first chick hatching, I had The Fever, for which there is no cure. The idea that an egg can transform from potential breakfast food into fluffy cuteness in 21 days completely captivates me. The Fever has taken over my kitchen counter, garage and basement and demanded the construction of a second coop.
SuperBroody, April (a Buff Orpington)
SuperBroody, April (a Buff Orpington)

Since broodies occupy all four of my nest boxes, the other hens are forced to lay eggs in the corner of the coop or double-up in a nesting box to lay eggs. If for some reason I was not going to allow my hens to hatch eggs (for instance, if I had no fertile eggs for them) then I would have to ‘break’ them of their maternal aspirations. The reasons to break up a broody hen and how to do so can be found here.

I never intended to hatch my own chicks but chicken math has no regard for my plans. My hatching addiction started innocently enough with a request for a Brinsea incubator for my birthday a few years ago. After witnessing the miracle of my first chick hatching, I had The Fever, for which there is no cure. The idea that an egg can transform from potential breakfast food into fluffy cuteness in 21 days completely captivates me. The Fever has taken over my kitchen counter, garage and basement and demanded the construction of a second coop.
Since broodies occupy all four of my nest boxes, the other hens are forced to lay eggs in the corner of the coop or double-up in a nesting box to lay eggs. If for some reason I was not going to allow my hens to hatch eggs (for instance, if I had no fertile eggs for them) then I would have to 'break' them of their maternal aspirations.

Broodies are fiercely protective of their eggs, growling at and pecking at any perceived threat. This makes egg-collecting a challenge. At the risk of invoking their motherly wrath, I check underneath them for eggs several times each day. During this morning’s rounds, I was pleasantly surprised to hear cheeping coming from the nest boxes. Rachel, who had been broody for fewer than ten days, was obviously as surprised as I was to learn the sounds were coming from underneath her.

Since broodies occupy all four of my nest boxes, the other hens are forced to lay eggs in the corner of the coop or double-up in a nesting box to lay eggs. If for some reason I was not going to allow my hens to hatch eggs (for instance, if I had no fertile eggs for them) then I would have to 'break' them of their maternal aspirations.
The nest looks like a pillow fight broke out and the reason for that is broodies pluck feathers off themselves to allow the warmth of their skin to make direct contact with the eggs.

The nest looks like a pillow fight broke out and the reason for that is broodies pluck feathers off themselves to allow the warmth of their skin to make direct contact with the eggs.  I don’t mind being a hatch-a-holic and look forward to having The Fever indefinitely. It is a privilege to have a front-row seat to witness the miracle of life.

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OrphanNanny
12 years ago

I too am a hatchaholic or at least I WILL be once I turn on my new mini advance for the first time! I don't know why I'm stalling, just nervous I guess ;) I love your page and yours was one of a few that inspired me to create one about our farm…Quack-A-Doodle-Moo My recruit to your page is my chicken keeping hubby, Douglas Kowalski…and I'd soooooo LOVE to hatch out some of your beautiful chickens' eggs! <3

Kathy Mormino, the Chicken Chick
Reply to  OrphanNanny
12 years ago

You got the Brinsea, Mini Advance,Inanda?! Good for you, they're the BEST!! I have two. :o

I'm flattered that my Facebook page was an inspiration to you in starting your own and I enjoy having you on mine. I'll never forget the story of the chicken you rescued.

Good luck in the contest and keep me posted on your first hatch! Happy to help if you have any questions about it!

Terri
12 years ago

I just today was begging my husband to get me a small incubator so that I can learn to hatch!!! He was so against me getting chickens at all, but now just six months later, he is really getting into it almost (but not quite as much yet) as I am. He is constantly out there checking on our girls and working in the coop. He is relatively new to facebook and he is my new partner in the chicken math world. You are the first chicken page I've convinced him to follow on facebook so far….soon he will be… Read more »

Kathy Mormino, the Chicken Chick
Reply to  Terri
12 years ago

Getting my husband on Facebook was almost as big a challenge as getting him into the chicken-keeping thing. lol Tell him I'm honored that he's a fan on my page. ;) Good luck in the giveaway (there will be more!).

Carmel
12 years ago

Hi I'm a new fan on your FB page. I too am hatch-a-holic, but I let my girls hatch for me :) I have LOTS of hens and roosters! We are very lucky, we are surrounded by pasture so they don't bother any of the neighbors. would soo love to add some BCM's to my flock! please add me to the giveaway! I found you on The Chicken Wisperer FB page

Kathy Mormino, the Chicken Chick
Reply to  Carmel
12 years ago

Hi Carmel! Thanks for joining us on my FB page and for this giveaway! The Black Copper Marans really are gorgeous. I have five who are mature and several more in the brooder and grow-out coop! I wish I could keep Max but…no roosters for me. :(

I'd love to add you to the giveaway, all you need to do is recruit one chicken lover to our FB page and you're IN! Good luck and let me know who your partner is!

Carmel
Reply to  Carmel
12 years ago

recruited Jolynn Crystal Traynor :)

Kathy Mormino, the Chicken Chick
Reply to  Carmel
12 years ago

Great, thanks Carmel. What's your last name?

Carmel
Reply to  Carmel
12 years ago

Feaser

Beth Dodd-Smith
12 years ago

I am a hatcha holic and my new recruit is me. My old standby incubator is a styrofoam still air incubator with an auto matic turner. I think it's a hatcho matic or something. A year ago I placed nine eggs in it and hatched out several mixed breed chicks, many of which I show on your Facebook page in your photo contests. I live in a town where I am allowed to keep roosters. So, I would love to have some of these beautiful birds for my own backyard flock.

Kathy Mormino, the Chicken Chick
Reply to  Beth Dodd-Smith
12 years ago

I SO wish I could keep a rooster. Lucky you!

I'd love to enter you into the MAXimum Addiction Giveaway Beth, but you do need to have a partner who is new to our page in addition to yourself. You can do it!

Jessica Berger
12 years ago

I am a true hatch-a-holic too!! I have been hatching almost non-stop for a solid year. I have taken a break or two for a few weeks at a time but it doesn't last long before I am buying again. *sigh* My new recruit will be Kim Delgaudio. She will like the page tomorrow :)

Jessica Berger
Reply to  Jessica Berger
12 years ago

Oh and I am in MUCH more trouble than you because I have a hovabator that holds up to around 55 eggs at a time!! If only I had a farm where I could keep a rooster…

Kathy Mormino, the Chicken Chick
Reply to  Jessica Berger
12 years ago

Yup, you've got it bad, Jessica. No sense fighting it. ;)

I'll watch for Kim, thanks for letting me know. Good luck!

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