bantam hen went broody, this is new for us.

[ctjim]

we have a banty hen who has gone broody its our 1st time with a broody hen. i believe shes a bantam hamburg, but looking at the henderson chicken chart it says that hamburgs rarely go broody. either way shes been sitting for about 4 days now and doesn't leave the nest, shes sitting on 13 eggs. we have 2 roos 1 cochin and 1 silky, so if the eggs are fertile we may have some real mongrels. how long should i wait b4 i try to candle the eggs? any extra info would be great. thanks jim

 

[miss_jayne]

you can candle at 7 days for light colored eggs.

mixed 'designer' chickens can be some of the cutest you'll have! enjoy and hope it works well for you.

 

[pdsavage]

and be sure to post pics when they hatch....

 

[Teresaann24]

Make sure she has food and water close by somtimes a broody will not come off her nest at all so its best to keep food and water close by so she does not starve.

 

[suzettex5]

Let her do her thing for a few days. Candle at 7 or eight days. I just put a 60 watt bulb on a cord in a cardboard box with a small hole in it to candle. You can use a strng flashlight in a dark room as well. I candle every day and it is day 17 or 18 for my broody Maran. She is very tolerant and I pet her and talk sftly to her before and after I touch her eggs. Momma hens are excellent moms and dont need much help, not to mention it takes the stress off you, you dont have to worry about doing anything wrong or hurting the eggs, unless you accidentally crack one. You can have them away from momma hen for about 15 minutes without worry about them getting too cold. I've readyou shouldnt candle after day 18 so they stay in the right position for hatching. Just keep an eye on mama hen that she doents abandon her post during her 21 days incubation, you dont want to have to incubate them yourself if she gives up halfway through!!

Good luck!!!