broody and baby question(s)

[me and my marans]

ok.... I have a broody hen with 3 chicks, i now have her seperated from the main flock, but there is still 3 eggs that i know that are not fertile that she is sitting on. should i take the eggs away from her as she is still sitting on them? (its now day 23) and she is not bringing the chicks around the place as i imagined!!

Also is she and the chicks ok outside (with no heatlamp)


this is my first time letting a broody hatch out (in the past i hadnt the space)

Thanks in advance!!!

 

[silkieroo]

I'm no expert but i would just leave them. Worst case if she stays on the eggs you can just take the chicks out.

Good Luck
Maddie

 

[Kittymomma]

Remove the dud eggs, they're not going to hatch so there's no point in risking the chicks she already has. Mamma should keep the little ones warm so no need for a lamp unless she ignores the chicks. Just keep an eye on things for a little while and make sure that she lets the chicks huddle under her when they get cold, as long as she's being a good momma you don't need to provide any extra heat source.

 

[Southernbelle]

I love broodies! I've lost track of how many broodies I've had over the last few years.

I would take the eggs away - if you know they're infertile, there's no point on her wasting her time on them. The sooner she gets up and starts taking care of her chicks, the better for the chicks. I would never take away a broody's chicks - it's her reward for all her hard work. You don't need a heat lamp for her or the chicks, even if they're running around outside. If the chicks get cold, they'll tuck under their mama. My first broodies hatched their babies in November and I was amazed to see them running around outside in the freezing cold - they'd just tuck under mama when they wanted her and they all thrived.

Congratulations on your broody and her new babies!

 

[me and my marans]

Thanks for the reasurance