Broodie hen and lockdown

[Chicalina]

I agree that early on incubation can pause and restart, but this is day 16. The temps are just 23°C today. Two weeks ago we had 38°C! I hope the chicks have enough body mass to remain warm inside the egg for a while, but how long I don't know. It could have been up to 3 hours.

I'm waiting. And biting my nails!

 

[The Happster]

I agree that early on incubation can pause and restart, but this is day 16. The temps are just 23°C today. Two weeks ago we had 38°C! I hope the chicks have enough body mass to remain warm inside the egg for a while, but how long I don't know. It could have been up to 3 hours.

I'm waiting. And biting my nails!

I have heard of them being left longer than that.
They can hold a bit of heat themselves after a certain point.
Keep me updated. Hope they hatch.

 

[Chicalina]

Thank you. I need some positivity right now!

 

[NatJ]

I suspect too high humidity and they drowned. I want to get a better % hatch this time. ...Should I still take the broodie off the nest to poop and exercise or just leave her be?

I don't think the broody affects the humidity much. If you were in a desert, the broody might keep them more moist, but I cannot see any way for her to dry them out by sitting her nice, moist skin over them!

So I wouldn't worry about that aspect of it at all.

 

[Chicalina]

I don't think the broody affects the humidity much. If you were in a desert, the broody might keep them more moist, but I cannot see any way for her to dry them out by sitting her nice, moist skin over them!

So I wouldn't worry about that aspect of it at all.

I messed up last time I think. Only 2 out of 6 hatched and the others were full term but sat in fluid.

https://www.backyardchickens.com/threads/staggered-broody-hatch-or-dud-eggs.1403160/post-23034011

I had high hopes this time. Still hoping!

 

[NatJ]

I messed up last time I think. Only 2 out of 6 hatched and the others were full term but sat in fluid.

But I don't think that can be affected by whether the hen gets off for 10-15 minutes, or even for 3 hours, in the last few days of hatching. Humidity just doesn't change that fast. Not unless they are literally sitting in a puddle so the water can soak in through the shell!

Have you candled any of these to see how they are doing?
If the aircell is the right size, then the humidity has been about right so far, and maybe you can worry less. (And if the aircell is the right size, but they do not hatch, then you will know that something else is at fault.)

 

[bobbi-j]

I don't think the broody affects the humidity much. If you were in a desert, the broody might keep them more moist, but I cannot see any way for her to dry them out by sitting her nice, moist skin over them!

So I wouldn't worry about that aspect of it at all.

I agree. Broodies were created to have the perfect conditions for their eggs to hatch. I have learned that the less I mess with them, the better.

 

[Aapomp831]

Don’t worry at all and leave her be... my Broodie would leave her eggs in the evening sometimes for over an hour and everyone hatched just perfectly fine. Little bantams too. And if you’ve ever had a broodie hatch eggs before, you’re in for a treat... all you have to do is provide shelter, food and water and mom will do everything including teaching them how to eat and drink. No pasty butt, and they are tougher and out and about within 3 days. It’s such a luxury.

 

[Chicalina]

Update: it is day 19 and one egg has pipped! It is egg number 1 too, which is funny (I labeled them all at the start). I'm so glad to see there are survivors from the other day when they got cold.

I cannot hear peeping because the 2 older chicks in the hutch below won't shut up!

I've now taken the broodie's food and water out of the hutch and will replace with chick friendly food and water containers tomorrow at the other end. I got her off the eggs briefly yesterday and today for pooping and she didn't disappoint!

It is evening here and I'm hoping I get up in the morning to at least one baby chick. I am ridiculously excited!

As an aside, she went to chase and peck the older chicks today when I put her down in the run, as they were there with their mum. They are 3 weeks old and tiny. I'm hoping that is not a bad sign that she will attack her own. Don't want to jinx it by even thinking this.

Do Polish hens make good mums to chicks? She has been good so far with her eggs.

 

[The Happster]

Don't know about Polish.
She'll do fine.
Day 19 is a tad early but I'm sure it'll be fine.
Glad one has pipped.