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Aargh! Broody frustrations! Rant

Discussion in 'Incubating & Hatching Eggs' started by warmfuzzies, Mar 31, 2009.

  1. Mar 31, 2009 #1
    warmfuzzies

    warmfuzzies Chillin' With My Peeps

    1,835
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    Feb 15, 2009
    Boondocks, Colorado
    OK, I have my first broody, a standard cochin. I put thwelve eggs under her, thinking that would be good. BUT the other hens kept laying in there, and at last count she had 17!! I penned her up after that, but I have still caught other hens in there, so I dont even know for sure how many she has. [​IMG]

    So, they are all developing nicely, even though they are at different stages. I took a few out that were clear, and she still had 17 at last count.

    BUT she keeps getting out, i dont know how, and she sits back down on the wrong nest! [​IMG] I have put her back in once a day at least 6 or 7 times! Most of the time I catch her before they get cold, but today they were cool, and one day they were COLD.

    Are they OK? She only has a few more days, they are due this next weekend, so I am thinking she should stop getting off them tomorrow or so. [​IMG]

    But will they live? And what do I do about the different ages? I am thinking I will bring them inside as they dry, and then when they are done hatching, I will give them back to her. Will this work? I think the youngest eggs are, at the most, a week behind the oldest ones.

    Sorry for the long rant!!
     

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