Broody Ditched Eggs During Hatch

[eveliens]

I've had broodies raise only one chick before. They do fine. It is better, and recommended, that there's more than just one chick, but I've only had one chick in a hatch before, and she did fine.

I think that's how it is going to be. I'm pretty doubtful I can find day old bantam chicks and I don't know if mom would take them at this point anyway. She seems super happy with the 1 - she loves being a mommy. I did open the other eggs - 2 of the chicks made it to hatch but didn't internally pip. Not sure what happened but clearly something killed them just prior to hatching, perhaps the heat Feel bad I didn't pull them into the incubator to hatch then introduce them to the hen afteward. Should probably name the survivor Lucky, since s/he was lucky to get a hole punched in the egg.

 

[Lacy Duckwing]

I think that's how it is going to be. I'm pretty doubtful I can find day old bantam chicks and I don't know if mom would take them at this point anyway. She seems super happy with the 1 - she loves being a mommy. I did open the other eggs - 2 of the chicks made it to hatch but didn't internally pip. Not sure what happened but clearly something killed them just prior to hatching, perhaps the heat Feel bad I didn't pull them into the incubator to hatch then introduce them to the hen afteward. Should probably name the survivor Lucky, since s/he was lucky to get a hole punched in the egg.

If the broody has left the nest, then she won't except any more. As far as the other chicks, there could be something else going on. There's plenty of chicks that make it to hatch date, but fail to hatch.

 

[eveliens]

If the broody has left the nest, then she won't except any more. As far as the other chicks, there could be something else going on. There's plenty of chicks that make it to hatch date, but fail to hatch.

I took the eggs from her after moving her inside - she was still sitting on them then but when I candled I didn't really see movement or hear anything. I put them in the incubator so she could tend the baby. I usually just buy hatchery chicks and will probably continue to do so in the future - she just happened to lay fertilized eggs due to being unable to rehome the roosters in a timely way.

 

[eveliens]

I've been putting mom & baby out in the yard during the day for a few hours in the evening then bringing them in at night. Tonight I guess mommy decided she was ready for bed and brought baby right up to the back porch demanding to come in. I was a bit surprised but it makes it much easier for me if she does this so I'm not complaining! (the yard is sizeable and has lots of bushes full of spiders for baby to hide in)

 

[Lacy Duckwing]

I've been putting mom & baby out in the yard during the day for a few hours in the evening then bringing them in at night. Tonight I guess mommy decided she was ready for bed and brought baby right up to the back porch demanding to come in. I was a bit surprised but it makes it much easier for me if she does this so I'm not complaining! (the yard is sizeable and has lots of bushes full of spiders for baby to hide in)

Aww, how cute!

 

[NatJ]

If the broody has left the nest, then she won't except any more.

I've had several times that a broody hen left the nest with her chicks, and I was able to add more chicks a few days later. It may not work with all broodies, but it definitely did with mine.

 

[eveliens]

Bedtime. She's very insistent and knocks on the door with her beak LOL