Broody Hen in Decemeber!

[nchls school]

I have never been able to ascertain fertility on newly laid eggs accurately. Most likely the egg will be fertile. I do not often see my present rooster mating with the hens either; the eggs hatch.

In several days the eggs can be candled and then you will know for sure.

 

[UrbanSilkies]

I have never been able to ascertain fertility on newly laid eggs accurately. Most likely the egg will be fertile. I do not often see my present rooster mating with the hens either; the eggs hatch.

In several days the eggs can be candled and then you will know for sure.

Hopefully they are fertile! She's been laying for about 3 weeks. I was thinking of candling the egg on day 4, is that too early?

 

[nchls school]

My silkies lay eggs with a light brown shell which makes candling a bit harder. I wait a week before candling and then there is no doubt as to fertility; an embryo forming.

 

[UrbanSilkies]

My silkies lay eggs with a light brown shell which makes candling a bit harder. I wait a week before candling and then there is no doubt as to fertility; an embryo forming.

I'll probably check on day 4 since I'm excited to see, but I will wait longer if I don't see anything. We ended up having to move her since she chose a nest outside, and the neighbour's cats often come by, so she is now back in the coop on her egg and seems fine. I'll update once I see some progress with the egg.

Do you know if it's possible for her to lay another egg tomorrow? I know that normally chickens lay their eggs, then sit on them, but if she did that now, the egg would get too cold. I would like there to be 2-3 eggs under her so that the chick won't be alone, but I can't find anyone who sells eggs near me right now. Would 1 chick be ok?

 

[nchls school]

I'll probably check on day 4 since I'm excited to see, but I will wait longer if I don't see anything. We ended up having to move her since she chose a nest outside, and the neighbour's cats often come by, so she is now back in the coop on her egg and seems fine. I'll update once I see some progress with the egg.

Do you know if it's possible for her to lay another egg tomorrow Yes, but since she started to brood last night a second egg should have been laid today which happens commonly. She is less likely to lay tomorrow.? I know that normally chickens lay their eggs, then sit on them, With my hens a last egg almost always is laid the day after the hen starts to brood.but if she did that now, the egg would get too cold. I would like there to be 2-3 eggs under her so that the chick won't be alone, but I can't find anyone who sells eggs near me right now. Would 1 chick be ok? It will be fine.

 

[UrbanSilkies]

She went broody last night, but there was no egg, she was just sleeping in the nest. She laid an egg today, so I'm hoping she'll lay tomorrow.

 

[nchls school]

She went broody last night, but there was no egg, she was just sleeping in the nest. She laid an egg today, so I'm hoping she'll lay tomorrow.

Then, yes, there is a better chance she will lay a second egg.

 

[Blooie]

I'm a little confused. Generally speaking (and I admit I know nothing about Silkies) a broody hen stops laying completely yet you say she laid another egg today. Also I don't consider a hen broody until she's stuck to the nest like glue for a few days...one day doesn't always mean anything except that she's found someplace comfy and prefers to park her hiney there. That being said, there is nothing chickens like better than to take something that is "common knowledge" and blow it clean out of the water!

 

[UrbanSilkies]

Quote:
I don't know, but she really seems broody. If you place her anywhere, she just plops down and stays there, and she's all spread out to keep the egg warm.

Unfortunately, it seems my hen is not that smart. We had to move her nest last night so that she doesn't get attacked by a predator, and this morning the egg was cold, and as soon as we opened the door, she ran to her old nest, leaving the egg in the new nest. Would the egg still be viable, it feels like it came from the fridge?

 

[nchls school]

I'm a little confused. Generally speaking (and I admit I know nothing about Silkies) a broody hen stops laying completely yet you say she laid another egg today. Also I don't consider a hen broody until she's stuck to the nest like glue for a few days...one day doesn't always mean anything except that she's found someplace comfy and prefers to park her hiney there. That being said, there is nothing chickens like better than to take something that is "common knowledge" and blow it clean out of the water!

My silkies and serama hens often lay a last egg the day after (most of the time they go on the nest in late afternoon) they stick to the nest full time; after that last egg no more are laid. I consider a hen broody when she sticks to the nest and displays all the behaviors of broodiness.