Advice for first time broody hatch? Day 20 and I hear chirping.

[Abbycadabra]

Hi all,

Hoping for some general advice for my first hatch.

Had chickens for about a year, and around November my white leghorn started to show signs of broodiness. I tried breaking her, but it didn't work - so in the absence of a rooster, I bought her a dozen fertilised eggs from a local seller and put them underneath.

In the first week I tried candling the eggs to see what was happening, but tbh I don't think my phone light is strong enough, because I could never see anything inside. So I just left her alone and figured that whatever happened, happened. She's been great - never left the nesting box, and whenever I've removed her to make her eat and drink, the eggs have all been present and intact, no breakages. I have four hens and four nesting boxes, so there's been no fighting - the other three have just continued to lay as normal in the other three boxes.

It's now Day 20, and when I went into the coop, I could hear very loud chirping coming from under my broody. In the back of my mind I'd sort of assumed that nothing was going to happen, so this was a surprise. I haven't tried moving her, so I don't know if they're still in the eggs or if any have actually hatched.

What do I need to do now? My nesting boxes are a couple of feet off the ground, which seems like it could be a problem. There's hay underneath, so any chicks would probably survive a fall, but I doubt they'd be able to get back up. Should I wait a few days until the hatching is done, and then remove the family to the woodshed? What do I need to buy? (I'm guessing chick starter, a new feeder/waterer, etc?) Is there anything else I should be doing? All advice appreciated.

 

[MGG]

Hi all,

Hoping for some general advice for my first hatch.

Had chickens for about a year, and around November my white leghorn started to show signs of broodiness. I tried breaking her, but it didn't work - so in the absence of a rooster, I bought her a dozen fertilised eggs from a local seller and put them underneath.

In the first week I tried candling the eggs to see what was happening, but tbh I don't think my phone light is strong enough, because I could never see anything inside. So I just left her alone and figured that whatever happened, happened. She's been great - never left the nesting box, and whenever I've removed her to make her eat and drink, the eggs have all been present and intact, no breakages. I have four hens and four nesting boxes, so there's been no fighting - the other three have just continued to lay as normal in the other three boxes.

It's now Day 20, and when I went into the coop, I could hear very loud chirping coming from under my broody. In the back of my mind I'd sort of assumed that nothing was going to happen, so this was a surprise. I haven't tried moving her, so I don't know if they're still in the eggs or if any have actually hatched.

What do I need to do now? My nesting boxes are a couple of feet off the ground, which seems like it could be a problem. There's hay underneath, so any chicks would probably survive a fall, but I doubt they'd be able to get back up. Should I wait a few days until the hatching is done, and then remove the family to the woodshed? What do I need to buy? (I'm guessing chick starter, a new feeder/waterer, etc?) Is there anything else I should be doing? All advice appreciated.

Ooh congrats! And a Leghorn, of all birds. That's crazy! They're not very common broodies, haha.
Do you have a pic of the nest box area showing how far down the ground is? I think I would just let them all hatch and then move them into a calm, quiet makeshift coop. Make sure you don't stress mama out too bad in the process or she may abandon the chicks. It's best to keep the new mother and chicks separated from the rest of the flock for at least a couple weeks anyway. Watch her closely right after the first chick hatches to be sure she doesn't decide to attack the chicks. I had a first time broody sit wonderfully but proceed to attack her chicks as they hatched. I had to pull them.
Hopefully that doesn't happen though.
You'll just need a good quality chick starter, a feeder, and a waterer. Make sure it's not one of those feeders that chicks could get stuck in. Just the regular gravity kind is good.
And keep the bedding very clean, chicks pick up illnesses very easily. Wood chips are the best bedding, imo.
Try to just let her be, and give her space while also keeping an eye on things. Watch your other hens too to make sure they don't decide to attack any newly hatched chicks.
I wish you the best of luck!!!

 

[Abbycadabra]

Thank you for the solid advice! I think you're right - the woodshed would probably be better for the first few weeks. Would hate to have any chickies falling out or getting squished after all mum's hard work.

In exciting news, I managed to ease her slightly to the side, just enough to see one completely open egg and one very fluffy yellow chicken. Another egg had a little hole with a beak poking out. It's definitely happening. Mum still seems relaxed - she just tucked the baby back underneath her when she noticed its head was sticking out.

Fingers crossed everything remains smooth.