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Anyone who has done this for any significant amount of time has gone through the torturous "do I assist or not" dance. Often, when we have negative results (whatever we decided to do), we tend to assume we have made the wrong decision without considering the (often) fact that the outcome would...

Also, if your broody is sequestered in a coop or separate area, you may want to give her a tub of dirt with a scant amount of poultry dust, DE or ash mixed in so she can take a dust bath. This will help give her a bit of relief. The little ones will most likely join in (I've had them start at 2...

Be aware that Gatorade can contain levels of sodium harmful to chicks. I would stick to Sav-A-Chik electrolytes or use one of the many homemade receipes available here on BYC. Many have had luck in your situation with NutriDrench as well. I would recommend dusting the the chick LIGHTLY with...

I think the Day 18 "lockdown" term is a less a description for what the egg needs, and more of a way to convince people to quit opening the incubator and leave those **** eggs alone! Like someone else said, a broody will continue to sit on eggs (and engage in her usual break routine) long after...

Chickens will quit laying when broody (if they are serious about it), and you would be surprised how sneaky some other birds can be about getting a freshly-laid egg in there. I have also known some broodies to actually go get eggs and bring them back to her nest. I always mark my set-eggs with...

Tillie - standard black cochin giving it her first go. She did alright and hatched everyone:

Just on a lark, I have set eggs that have been in my refrigerator for 4 days. All hatched and went on to do just fine!

How do my girls always know? Yesterday, I set six CCLs and eight Isbar shipped eggs in the incubator. Tonight, Tillie, one of my black Cochins decided to go broody. I went back inside, pulled out five of today's laid eggs and stuck them under her. It's nice to have the belt-and-suspenders...

My girls are pretty tolerant of me messing around down there, but not all hens are. I have even heard of a couple of extreme cases where it caused them to abandon the nest. I think it comes down to knowing your birds. As long as you are careful and not in lockdown, it shouldn't cause problems...

A non-toxic marker (like a Sharpie) should be ok. Pencil is fine, but is easier to break a thin shell, and can rub off with a vigorous hen.

If he is healthy and at a good weight, I don't see why not. Crack open a few and check.

How old is he? Mine (full-size cochins) are fertilizing their girls at 25-30 weeks (maybe earlier, but I haven't been checking).

Much depends on the broody's prior status in the flock, but most mommas are fiercely protective of their chicks and will go at the other curious flock members who get too close. I had a delta hen (Cochin) who became a T-Rex in full swing when she had little ones. Even the alpha hen gave her a...

Everyone has a different approach, all I can do is tell you what has worked for me. I have had success with moving the hens, but not far - just into a dog carrier in the same coop. It is cozy, it is secluded, it is warm. There may be less of a chance of her returning to the wrong nest, since...

Pros of one chick: none. Cons: chickens are social creatures, and babies do not do well alone. In looking at prior posts, I think I was under the assumption your eggs were in an incubator. They're under your broody, correct? Although a single chick does better with a momma broody than being...

My experience has been that clears will usually stink or weep before they explode. I am always a little apprehensive about removing that early unless I am 100% sure I have a nonfertile egg. I don't know what your candling skills are, but I have been tricked by lightly-colored veins more than...

Can't be sure without pictures, but sounds like a probable unabsorbed yolk/unhealed navel.

Yep. I'll probably start with 2-3 trios and start a spiral breeding program.

Everyone has their own opinion on a "perfect breed" but have you considered Bielefelders? Meaty carcasses, huge eggs, gentle dispositions, auto-sexing: what's not to like? I'm going to raise some this Spring and see.

And we have chick #7!