Broody Hen: care and when to give fertile eggs

[Happy hen lover]

Great job broody momma! I have a hen on some eggs right now but no babies yet. I'm glad it's going so good for you, today is day 21 so we'll see. I'm encouraged by this post. Good job inthehrtertons!

 

[Inthetetons]

We have 4 chicks and one egg that hasn't had any action yet. Momma still has her brood in the nesting box - I'm guessing she is waiting on that last egg? I offered her food and water late last night and she drank and ate like she was dying for it. Today is day 22 so I"m guessing it's smart to give that last egg some more time - right? If nothing by midday today or at some point, do I candle it? poke into it?

Last night we had a scare. When I checked at 4:30pm there was one little chick out from under her - I didn't think much of it because earlier that day three were out and looking fine. Well 2 of them tucked themselves back in later but this little one was still out. I snapped some pics and left to go have Easter dinner. I htought it would tuck itslf back in on its own. When my daughter and I checked at 9pm the little chick was belly up and looking almost dead. We realized she was breathing so held her up to a heat lamp and eventually she starting peeping. We put her beak into some water but she didn't drink. Once she was perked up we tucked her back under momma.

I lifted her gently this morning to check teh situation and I think she's still good (hard to see - like you said, they really tuck up in there! Im expecting she needs to move those chicks out to get food and water today - will she stay as long as that last egg is in there or abandon it? I do have my second broodie (with only plastic easter eggs under her) I could transfer the last egg to her if orange momma gets up. Advice welcome.

 

[Inthetetons]

Great job broody momma! I have a hen on some eggs right now but no babies yet. I'm glad it's going so good for you, today is day 21 so we'll see. I'm encouraged by this post. Good job inthehrtertons!

Best luck today. I'm thinking of you and your chickies!

 

[aart]

I lifted her gently this morning to check teh situation and I think she's still good (hard to see - like you said, they really tuck up in there! Im expecting she needs to move those chicks out to get food and water today - will she stay as long as that last egg is in there or abandon it? I do have my second broodie (with only plastic easter eggs under her) I could transfer the last egg to her if orange momma gets up. Advice welcome.

Do you have a chicks sized feed and water near the nest?
Can the chicks get out of and in the nest on their own?
Best not to feed or water in the nest.

Hard to say how long she might sit on that last egg.
I take any left over eggs once the mama bring s the chicks out to eat and drink.

I would not give that one egg to the other newly broody.
Do you plan on letting her hatch?
If not, it's best to break her pronto.

 

[Inthetetons]

Do you have a chicks sized feed and water near the nest?
Can the chicks get out of and in the nest on their own?
Best not to feed or water in the nest.

Hard to say how long she might sit on that last egg.
I take any left over eggs once the mama bring s the chicks out to eat and drink.

I would not give that one egg to the other newly broody.
Do you plan on letting her hatch?
If not, it's best to break her pronto.

I did give mom some water chick feed in the nest - she loved it but I'll stop doing that. I can see how it might delay her from getting up and taking her chicks out. That almost dead baby from last night is doing great! All 4 look lively. I read to give until day 23 before removing a questionable egg. Is there a way to tell by candling if its still alive?

I think I made a bad choice letting the other broody hen hang out in the nesting box next to momma for so long. She really wants to help with the chicks now. She got right in the nesting box with momma and the babies - I found her in there just now. I took her outside with the other adults. I'm a little worried of how she might act when momma mingles with her chicks with the flock. I don't plan on letting her hatch her own.

 

[Mrs. K]

Put her in a broody breaker, the second broody hen. If the mamma bird has not left the nest, I would just pull her out, and drop the chicks around her. She will puff up like a beach ball and call them. If you put the unhatched egg up to your ear, and can hear peeping, well then he/she is still alive.

If you hear nothing, or it sloshes - it is a no go.

Mrs K

 

[Inthetetons]

Put her in a broody breaker, the second broody hen. If the mamma bird has not left the nest, I would just pull her out, and drop the chicks around her. She will puff up like a beach ball and call them. If you put the unhatched egg up to your ear, and can hear peeping, well then he/she is still alive.

If you hear nothing, or it sloshes - it is a no go.

Mrs K

Ok, She is in a second wire dog crate, outside where it is cool, with food and water and a roost. She's not happy about it. I hope it doesn't take long. (see picture, she has lots of company to help her along)

I pulled the last egg, it did indeed make a slosh when I shook it. I set the chicks on the coop floor and momma followed and is teaching them to eat. SO CUTE!!! Does anyone have a guess as to what kind of chickens I'm raising? The black chick came out of an olive green egg and the rest her light brown. I know the rooster is an Americauna

All is well for now .

 

[Mrs. K]

This is the funnest part! And mamma does all the work!

Mrs. Feathers has not failed me in the last two years, so hoping she is about to go broody. Will start keeping eggs on the counter and dating them.

And you have the best type of chicks....LIVE chicks.

 

[Inthetetons]

Quick update. 4 chicks are thriving. Mama is doing a great job with them. She has introduced them to the flock & going well. She's more tolerant of certain hens and has put a couple others in their place who she thinks were getting too friendly (especially the other black hen that was broody.) Now if it would just warm up! It's been in the teens (F) at night & 30s in the day. I think I have 3 hens and one roo (its wings & tail are developing much faster).

 

[GalaxyChicken]

Quick update. 4 chicks are thriving. Mama is doing a great job with them. She has introduced them to the flock & going well. She's more tolerant of certain hens and has put a couple others in their place who she thinks were getting too friendly (especially the other black hen that was broody.) Now if it would just warm up! It's been in the teens (F) at night & 30s in the day. I think I have 3 hens and one roo (its wings & tail are developing much faster).

Aww! Those little ones are so cute! What are their names? Also, if the chick in picture one isn't named yet, I suggest Snuggles or Chip. (Feel free to reject these names lol)