Broodies on eggs? Broodies with babies? Post here.

[Teresaann24]

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No, i leave them with momma. Just took them for a min to check them over and take pics.

 

[coolchickens]

I like to candle mine and know how many are good. From what I've read here, I'm thinking most of the candling issues regarding handling the egg is because most are incubating them and the temp & humidity change dramatically when its opened. My feelings are mama hen gets off and goes and eats, etc. for awhile, and it has not hurt my last hatch (which was my first so not much experience here) and I had a 100% hatch rate on that hatch. I was so anxious I had candled them daily from day 5 to day 18! Dumb me, then I read about not doing that so often! The good side of candling is I am able to tell how many live little chicks I can add of a breed I like (from the hatchery or feedstore) and not have too many chicks under her. I added 2 GJ pullets last time. This time I have a new young Cochin roo. who I wasn't sure was getting the job done so candling proved me right and I was able to pull them all and add 5 GLRW & 1 BR which I have been wanting to add to flock. My girl usually poops about every 2-3 days, LARGE poop. Never had a problem with impaction of poop. She gets scratch feed for the carbs and heat factor as she does only eat once a day during setting but after they hatch, she gets what they get, chick starter, which doesn't seem to bother her.

Sharon

 

[coolchickens]

Wow, I just saw this wonderful post on another thread and want to share it will you guys re broodies, candling, etc. Its wonderful. Hope I copied it right. Here it is...http://www.themodernhomestead.us/article/broody-hens-1.html

 

[coolchickens]

Bummer....how do I add it so you can just click on it? Anyone know? I copied the website address off the top of the web page and guess that was wrong. Darn.

 

[Teresaann24]

Here ya go cool chicks

http://www.themodernhomestead.us/article/broody-hens-1.html

 

[pasofinofarm]

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Carol I would be a little bit concerned about her brooding 14 eggs. She is large fowl, correct? Breed? If she is a big buff orp or some other nice big hen ignore the following and leave them alone...If not:

The eggs may have been out because she just has too many. In this case I would go ahead and candle so you can reduce by whatever is not alive. Otherwise you risk that the eggs on the fringes are never warm enough and all eggs eventually get to cold as they are rotated. Here is what I do if we are still haveing cold weather... heat a heating pad to warm. Line a shoe box with a lid with the pad. Go out and as you candle put the keepers in the box... duds wherever... when done put the good eggs back under broodie. If it is not REALLY cold don't worry although you do need a safe place to set them while you work anyway. This is the time that the rubber ringed mini-mag is worth it's weight in gold. No cord and you can see right through those dark Marans eggs.

Or if the hen house is dark and warm during the day you can kick her out briefly and work quickly.

 

[ursusarctosana]

I've uploaded a video of my broody hens sitting on Faverolles eggs, plus some footage from the chicks first day. Hope you enjoy!

 

[gckiddhouse]

Quote:
Carol I would be a little bit concerned about her brooding 14 eggs. She is large fowl, correct? Breed? If she is a big buff orp or some other nice big hen ignore the following and leave them alone...If not:

The eggs may have been out because she just has too many. In this case I would go ahead and candle so you can reduce by whatever is not alive. Otherwise you risk that the eggs on the fringes are never warm enough and all eggs eventually get to cold as they are rotated. Here is what I do if we are still haveing cold weather... heat a heating pad to warm. Line a shoe box with a lid with the pad. Go out and as you candle put the keepers in the box... duds wherever... when done put the good eggs back under broodie. If it is not REALLY cold don't worry although you do need a safe place to set them while you work anyway. This is the time that the rubber ringed mini-mag is worth it's weight in gold. No cord and you can see right through those dark Marans eggs.

Or if the hen house is dark and warm during the day you can kick her out briefly and work quickly.

Hi Melissa,

She is a buff orpington, but not a huge one. she seems to be covering the eggs really well. She has gotten the nest bowl nice and deep and when I pulled her off today, I could hardly believe that there were 16 eggs in there (I have 2 of my own hens' eggs in there, too). I counted them to make sure and they were all there, all warm. It is only in the 40s at night here. It was in the high 70s, maybe even 80 today. So it isn't very cold at all.

So, since she is a BO... I can just leave them alone? I am just torn. I really just want to leave them alone, but keep worrying about those two that got the boot.

 

[gckiddhouse]

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Thank you so much for sharing that!! That was exactly what I have been waiting for. Momma with the chickies!!! So beautiful!! I have never had the privilege of seeing such a thing. I sooo can't wait for our eggs to hatch!!

 

[ursusarctosana]

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Thank you so much for sharing that!! That was exactly what I have been waiting for. Momma with the chickies!!! So beautiful!! I have never had the privilege of seeing such a thing. I sooo can't wait for our eggs to hatch!!

If you look under the category of Stories and Pictures of Chickens (or something like that here on BYC) I've created a post with the Faverolles chicks in even more videos. You may find more fun videos of them there.

Or just click on this link: https://www.backyardchickens.com/forum/viewtopic.php?id=136945