Broody Chicken Hatching Eggs

[iBerth]

https://avianaquamiser.com/posts/float_test_of_egg_viability/

I've done the float test on an egg that I candled and was positive that there was a fully developed chick in there. I dissected it after no movement of the egg in the water and over 24 hrs after all chicks had hatched. It was dead in there, never pipped, and unfortunately I have no idea why. It was a shipped egg so there could have been issues with the air cell.

That’s crazy! It’s so hard to throw them away without knowing! It’s my first time letting one of my girls hatch, she is over the moon with her 3 little ones but still protective of her eggs. I don’t know if I could dissect it, you are brave!
We had to help the first one out of the egg, after it had pipped it didn’t get very far, the membrane dried out and shrink wrapped him. After moistening it and helping pick the shell away we have a healthy chick.

 

[chickens really]

If being hatched under a Hen you don't interfere because your disturbing the temp and humidity That's she is providing to hatch her Chicks...

 

[wleigh1021]

I am glad you were able to save it! If you do ever decide to dissect them, put it in a ziploc bag first in case it is rotten and explodes. It was my first time hatching so I wanted to try and troubleshoot what went wrong with a few eggs, but really all I could chalk it up to is that they were shipped eggs. When you candle them if you see no sign of veins then they were never even fertile. If that's the case you may want to consider trimming her vent feathers next time you are getting ready to hatch. It makes it easier for the sperm to get in.

 

[Shadrach]

I have to write this in case anyone else reads this stuff.
Don't touch a broody hens eggs during the last three days. The eggs need to be kepts at the right temperature and humidity but most importantly, in the right position for the chick to zip the correct way up.
Don't drop the eggs in water to see if they're viable.
Don't candle the eggs in the last three days.
Don't trim a hens feathers around her vent in the belief that it makes fertilization easier.
Do provide appropriate chick feed and water for the hen and chicks while she is still on the nest.
Just because the hen hasn't left the nest it doesn't necessarily mean she is still actively sitting to hatch.

 

[chickens really]

I have to write this in case anyone else reads this stuff.
Don't touch a broody hens eggs during the last three days. The eggs need to be kepts at the right temperature and humidity but most importantly, in the right position for the chick to zip the correct way up.
Don't drop the eggs in water to see if they're viable.
Don't candle the eggs in the last three days.
Don't trim a hens feathers around her vent in the belief that it makes fertilization easier.
Do provide appropriate chick feed and water for the hen and chicks while she is still on the nest.
Just because the hen hasn't left the nest it doesn't necessarily mean she is still actively sitting to hatch.

Your last reply is wrong in my experience because I've had Hens that stay until I remove the dead eggs and then she gets up..

 

[Shadrach]

Your last reply is wrong in my experience because I've had Hens that stay until I remove the dead eggs and then she gets up..

Oh, thanks for adding your experience. So far every hen that has sat and hatched here has has left the nest at will, whether there were unhatched eggs, or not.
I believe this is normally the case, even with badly staggered hatches because it is in the interests of the chicks and therefor the mum to have chicks at the same level of development in order to maximize the clutches survival rate. Chicks hatched last in a badly staggered hatch, because they are behind in development, are disadvantaged.
Normally the hens here allow 24 hours from first hatch to last and abandon the rest.

 

[chickens really]

Oh, thanks for adding your experience. So far every hen that has sat and hatched here has has left the nest at will, whether there were unhatched eggs, or not.
I believe this is normally the case, even with badly staggered hatches because it is in the interests of the chicks and therefor the mum to have chicks at the same level of development in order to maximize the clutches survival rate. Chicks hatched last in a badly staggered hatch, because they are behind in development, are disadvantaged.
Normally the hens here allow 24 hours from first hatch to last and abandon the rest.

No...I've had to remove eggs in Staggered hatching or discard them because my Hens won't move. My Hens have all normally stayed the 48 or 72 hours trying to hatch so why I provide feed and water right close to Momma..

 

[iBerth]

My hen won’t leave the nest, if anything she is more interested in the eggs than the chicks. Chicks are active and starting to explore without mother hen. It’s day 24 now, that’s the only reason I’m wanting to do something with the eggs!

 

[chickens really]

My hen won’t leave the nest, if anything she is more interested in the eggs than the chicks. Chicks are active and starting to explore without mother hen. It’s day 24 now, that’s the only reason I’m wanting to do something with the eggs!

I just play God and remove the eggs after that much time. Take them and enjoy the Chicks.

 

[chickens really]

Don't bother opening the eggs just take them and leave her with her live Chicks. Mine was on 12 egg and has 5 living babies to raise. I definitely intervened and did what was necessary...