Found the broody nest - what now?

[Johnchickens2]

Recently one of my pullets - a 5 months old serama, has gone broody but we didn't know where the nest is. Today I was home, so when she took her daily break - I followed her on her way back to the nest. I found a cute, small nest she made, with 9 TINY eggs!

Thats already about day 10 of incubation. I have candled a few eggs and saw veins.
The question is - what should be done now?? She is extremely young as mentioned above and its not healthy for her... We also can't be sure she will stay broody for another 11 days. On the other hand - the eggs are developing and I can't make her leave them by breaking her broodiness now.
Will she keep sitting till day 21?
What should I do now?
Thank you all!

 

[Johnchickens2]

Did your serama end up hatching the eggs?

Yes! All the eggs hatched on day 21, tiny chicks that look so much like their mother She already started laying again.

 

[Yardmom]

Not uncommon for pullets to set after they have layed a full clutch. No reason she won't complete the job and be a great mother. With setting young it means her broody instincts are high. Is she in a place safe from predators?

 

[Johnchickens2]

Anything I can do to support her during this time? She is only 5 months old and I'm really worried about her condition

 

[Johnchickens2]

Provide plenty of feed and fresh water and a dry place for dustbathing. And don't worry about her age, bantam breeds mature much faster. Just trust her instincts.
As long as she gets off the nest to defecate, eat, drink and do a little wellness, all is well.

Thank you!

 

[Johnchickens2]

Her age is not a concern; in fact she is probably stronger and abler to incubate for 21 days than would be an older hen. If she was Birthing 9 chicks, yes that would be a concern at her age, but she is not. I've had broodies ranging in age from 6 months to 8 years, and I worry much more about the health of the older broodies than I do the younger ones. As long as she has access to fresh, cool water and feed, she will be fine.

Do you have photos to post? I would love to see a picture of your petite little broody and her 9 adorable little eggs!

Thank you! Sure I will take a pic of her tomorrow morning.

I really hope she stays for 21 days. I know she isn't a human... but even for a young pullet who just wants to get around, run and play, it's not a guarantee she stays sitting.... Maybe I should calm myself down by understanding that these are hormones that take control and make her sit till day 21, and it's not something she decides, right?

 

[LaFleche]

Thank you! Sure I will take a pic of her tomorrow morning.

I really hope she stays for 21 days. I know she isn't a human... but even for a young pullet who just wants to get around, run and play, it's not a guarantee she stays sitting.... Maybe I should calm myself down by understanding that these are hormones that take control and make her sit till day 21, and it's not something she decides, right?

Just let her do her thing and try not to disturb her on her nest. Take the pictures from afar so not to spook her off the nest. And another very important thing: Let her be when hatching date arrives, don't try to get a glimpse of her first chick etc. as this can disturb her very much. She will soon enough emerge with her chicks and present them.

Good luck!

 

[Allsfairinloveandbugs]

I really hope she stays for 21 days. I know she isn't a human... but even for a young pullet who just wants to get around, run and play, it's not a guarantee she stays sitting.... Maybe I should calm myself down by understanding that these are hormones that take control and make her sit till day 21, and it's not something she decides, right?

That's what has always amazed me most about broodies, how they give up all the fun, normal activities that a hen enjoys to do almost nothing but sit pancaked on their eggs for 21 days. Then they continue to make sacrifices while they dote on and raise their chicks. Yes, currently her hormones are in control. Rarely, broody hormones do dissipate and a broody abandons a clutch, but it's rare and there's nothing one can do to prevent it, so try not to worry.

Take the pictures from afar so not to spook her off the nest.

Yes, definitely only photograph the eggs if/when she is off taking her daily broody break.

 

[Johnchickens2]

Also... is there a chance the eggs will hatch earlier because they are very small? It may help her finish earlier too....

 

[Allsfairinloveandbugs]

Since they are already about half-way to their hatch date, I would allow her to continue to incubate them. The eggs may begin to hatch as early as day 19, but most should begin to hatch on day 20, with all completing hatching on day 21. Is her nest in a place that is safe from predators? If so I would let her be and trust the process. It sounds like she's got this!