Broody Hen didnt hatch

Henniezues

Songster
5 Years
May 29, 2018
96
67
126
Dahlonega, GA
Hi,

My poor broody hen didnt hatch any of her eggs, she was on 10 and after 22/23 days I pulled all of her eggs after getting advice from others on here. I was able to get a few chicks that were only a few days old but she didnt seem to take interest. I think she was more confused than anything. Im going to try once more tonight but know that after a certain amount of days the chicks will probably be too old. My question is, if she wont take them in, what should I do. This is her second time being broody and the first time she hatched 3 babies. She is pitiful and will snatch the other hens egg every morning and lay on it all day until I grab it. She will come out of the coop if I get her up and out but only for a short period of time and then goes back in and lays on the bottom of the coop. Should I get her more fertilized eggs and do something different? Thank you ahead of time for any advice
Liz
 
To keep the hen healthy it would be better to break her of broodiness by being put in a bare cage for a week.

To introduce chicks to the hen put them under her when it is dark-at night. I always put clean egg shells with the chicks. Whether or not the shells help, I'm not positive, but I've not had a hen refuse chicks since I started with the shells.

Good luck!
 
Ok, thank you-I have been reading a lot and have heard both sides of that. One said not to do it at night because it she rejected the chicks they wouldnt survive without her heat. I have not heard of the egg shells that sounds brilliant-thanks!
 
Ok, thank you-I have been reading a lot and have heard both sides of that. One said not to do it at night because it she rejected the chicks they wouldnt survive without her heat. I have not heard of the egg shells that sounds brilliant-thanks!
The hen would not reject them until morning. You would need to check them at first light to make sure that all was well. I should have stated this in my prior post.
 
Hi,

My poor broody hen didnt hatch any of her eggs, she was on 10 and after 22/23 days I pulled all of her eggs after getting advice from others on here. I was able to get a few chicks that were only a few days old but she didnt seem to take interest. I think she was more confused than anything. Im going to try once more tonight but know that after a certain amount of days the chicks will probably be too old. My question is, if she wont take them in, what should I do. This is her second time being broody and the first time she hatched 3 babies. She is pitiful and will snatch the other hens egg every morning and lay on it all day until I grab it. She will come out of the coop if I get her up and out but only for a short period of time and then goes back in and lays on the bottom of the coop. Should I get her more fertilized eggs and do something different? Thank you ahead of time for any advice
Liz
 
So far Mama hen has taken in 3 of the chicks, Im hoping she will take in the last 2 this afternoon. Thank you so much for all of the help and suggestions-this place is great!!!
Liz
 
So far Mama hen has taken in 3 of the chicks, Im hoping she will take in the last 2 this afternoon. Thank you so much for all of the help and suggestions-this place is great!!!
Liz
Why did you not put all of them under her at once?
If she will let you pick up the chicks she accepted,
you can fool her by putting down 2 after picking up 1.
 

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