Broody Hen Off Eggs In The Middle Of Winter! No Incubator! Please help!

[Kiki]

Unfortunately, no. None of my hens have any interest in going broody at the moment.I asked on facebook about an incubator, but didn't get anything in response. I hope my little egg makes it, but I'm not sure it will.

Any luck on building a bator with that styrofoam chest?

 

[ChocolateMouse]

Going chilly for 20 minutes or so once per day is actually normal and can actually encourage higher viability. Like a broody hen leaving her nest to eat and drink.

 

[lena_]

Any luck on building a bator with that styrofoam chest?

No unfortunately. My parents don't really want the power on 24/7 unfortunately. I discarded the blood ring egg and was right, it didn't smell bad, but the chick was dead. One egg left, I'll try setting up livestreaming for tommorow, so you guys can tune into the candling. The remaining embryo is very active, and wiggles around when I candle. Due to hatch on the 14th, I pray that it makes it, but I know it would likely take a miracle.

Going chilly for 20 minutes or so once per day is actually normal and can actually encourage higher viability. Like a broody hen leaving her nest to eat and drink.

Thanks, the chick moves around when I candle which is great to see. I'm turning it five times a day and temperatures will range from 37-38 degrees Celsius. Hoping it makes it.

 

[lena_]

Update:
The egg, who my sister (5 years old) has named 'Egg Tess'is alive and well. There's this show she really likes called 'Survivor New Zealand' and on it her favourite contestant is named Tess, so I guess thats where she got the name Tess. I'll keep everyone updated, it's currently day eight.

 

[WVduckchick]

Update:
The egg, who my sister (5 years old) has named 'Egg Tess'is alive and well. There's this show she really likes called 'Survivor New Zealand' and on it her favourite contestant is named Tess, so I guess thats where she got the name Tess. I'll keep everyone updated, it's currently day eight.

Your dedication is awesome! Please keep in mind with all the temperature fluctuations, a delayed hatching is possible. May not be an issue, I’m just throwing it out there now, just in case.
Also one chick alone can be a challenge, so might you consider finding a local chick as a friend for Tess?

 

[lena_]

Your dedication is awesome! Please keep in mind with all the temperature fluctuations, a delayed hatching is possible. May not be an issue, I’m just throwing it out there now, just in case.
Also one chick alone can be a challenge, so might you consider finding a local chick as a friend for Tess?

True I hadn't considered that, there is a petshop in town that sells day old Hy-Line layer chicks, so if Tess does hatch I can probably get her a friend.Lol, whilst writing this I realized that about five days after Tess is due to hatch we go to a city called Aukland(A three hour drive) for my sister's birthday,there is a seller there with readily availible Silkie and Aracuana chicks(Convincing parents to go twenty minutes out might be an issue tho).
As for the delayed hatching that should be fine, How delayed is to be expected though?

 

[Kiki]

A day or two.

 

[lena_]

Day 9 Update:
Tess is still alive and wriggling, got an excellent sleep and Tess didn't even chill, the lowest it got in her box was 32 degrees Celsius. I'll look at at getting a friend for Tess if she hatches, as I don't want her to be lonely... I have chick crumbles and such as I am also raising two silkies at the moment. I'll keep you all posted, gotta do schoolwork soon. I'll post a candling video/pics if you want to see

 

[lena_]

A day or two.

Thanks!

 

[Kiki]

I want to see it!