Broody hen and no fertilized eggs

[Jenny421]

I made the mistake of not candling the eggs and today is day 22. I decided to candle them today and none are fertilized. She’s sitting on 4 eggs. Will she give up in a few days or do I need to intervene? Or should I stick some new eggs under her?

 

[3KillerBs]

I made the mistake of not candling the eggs and today is day 22. I decided to candle them today and none are fertilized. She’s sitting on 4 eggs. Will she give up in a few days or do I need to intervene? Or should I stick some new eggs under her?

It would be a long wait to have her sit on eggs again. She could lose condition or give up with them halfway to hatching.

Can you get a couple day-old chicks to give her?

 

[Jenny421]

It would be a long wait to have her sit on eggs again. She could lose condition or give up with them halfway to hatching.

Can you get a couple day-old chicks to give her?

I’m not sure where to get day old chicks. They aren’t selling any at tractor supply right now. But that’s a good idea. Maybe I’ll just need to break her of being broody?? Not sure if that’s a good option either.

 

[3KillerBs]

I’m not sure where to get day old chicks. They aren’t selling any at tractor supply right now. But that’s a good idea. Maybe I’ll just need to break her of being broody?? Not sure if that’s a good option either.

You could ask on your state thread if anyone local is hatching babies right now.

 

[Jenny421]

You could ask on your state thread if anyone local is hatching babies right now.

I didn’t even know that existed. I’ll try that. Thanks!!

 

[MGG]

I'm sorry! You could also check craigslist or Facebook.

 

[EggSighted4Life]

I’m not sure where to get day old chicks. They aren’t selling any at tractor supply right now. But that’s a good idea. Maybe I’ll just need to break her of being broody?? Not sure if that’s a good option either.

I see them on craigslist farm and garden section every day. But dealing with straight run means possible roosters.. and I'm leery about disease.. however.. your birds may already be exposed to anything "local" so maybe that's less of concern than I believe.

Many mail order hatcheries still sell and ship as few as 3 chicks and could be there by Wednesday if you order now. Not without some possible complications of it's own.

Breaking is a good alternative if needed.. but I agree new eggs is a terrible idea for the health and well being of the hen this far into the ordeal. Some hens will sit themselves to death.



Usually a broody hen will go broody again.. you could plan ahead for her next time.

 

[Jenny421]

I'm sorry! You could also check craigslist or Facebook.

I’ll do that! Thanks!!

 

[Jenny421]

I see them on craigslist farm and garden section every day. But dealing with straight run means possible roosters.. and I'm leery about disease.. however.. your birds may already be exposed to anything "local" so maybe that's less of concern than I believe.

Many mail order hatcheries still sell and ship as few as 3 chicks and could be there by Wednesday if you order now. Not without some possible complications of it's own.

Breaking is a good alternative if needed.. but I agree new eggs is a terrible idea for the health and well being of the hen this far into the ordeal. Some hens will sit themselves to death.



Usually a broody hen will go broody again.. you could plan ahead for her next time.

I’ll check Craigslist. I often forget about that it still exists. she would sit herself to death. Once she gets broody, she’s committed. I put food and water in there with her because she doesn’t like to leave her eggs. I never even thought that all her eggs would be infertile. I figured there would be a least one, but I learn more every time we hatch eggs. Next time, I’ll be more prepared.

 

[Egghead_Jr]

I'd break her brood. She'll go into brood again this coming spring when eggs are plentiful and the cock's legs are red from peak hormone levels.