Broody Baby?

[emalin]

Our English Orphingtons just started laying--quite early--only 4.5 months old. They are laying little mini eggs. However, one has already gone broody. She was the first one to start laying about a month ago. I don't mind, if that's what she wants to do. She only has one egg, and I don't even think it's hers. I'm just wondering if it's good for her health. It is incredibly hot, and she is incredibly fluffy--stuffed into a small nesting box inside the coop. It's an open coop so has decent air flow, but still. . . If she overheats, will she come out, or would she actually die trying to hatch her egg? We are leaving for a few days, so I'm a bit worried. Would you shoo her off her egg or let her follow her instincts? She actually growled at me when I came near--didn't know chickens could make that sound!

I'm assuming the little egg won't hatch. I'm curious to see what a cross between a crele Orphington and Donimique rooster would look like, but it would be one tiny chick!

TIA!

 

[HighStreetCoop]

Those little fairy eggs won't hatch. Even if they are fertile, which they're probably not, there's not enough room inside for the chick to develop. If she's a determined broody and is still sitting in a week, you can either get her some fertile eggs (you can use the ones from the grocery store if you have to) or wait until she's been sitting 3 weeks and slip a couple chicks from the feed store under her.

 

[emalin]

Thanks.

Now I've got the two other Orphs, sisters who have their own little sub-flock within the bigger flock, in the coop with her, taking turns laying eggs next to her egg. She steps out of the box to let them lay, but still protects the area by fanning if I open the door. They are having quite the conversation in there!

And I should correct, their eggs are not yolk-less fairy eggs. I was using the term incorrectly.

 

[HighStreetCoop]

If you're going to let her attempt to hatch eggs, mark the ones that are "hers" so you can clear out any new additions from the other hens. Worst case scenario is none of them hatch and you have to slip her a couple chicks to get her to stop sitting. Otherwise, pop her into a wire-bottomed cage until she gets over the urge.