Broody hen off eggs overnight--any hope?

[BellaLulaFarm]

Quote:
Thanks so much for all the info! Does "pip" mean that they've cracked the egg a little? Should I be checking them daily for pipping, or will that bother Momma too much? I like the brood lamp idea, although we may go ahead an get an incubator, as I have a couple of boys who would love the anticipation of hatching out chicks (not that we need more chickens!)

Also, is there a chance that by bothering her by checking the eggs, candling, etc, she'll get fed up enough to leave the nest permanently, or do broodys not do that?

Thanks!

 

[BellaLulaFarm]

Update:

The good news: the broody hatched out 2 of the 4 original eggs, and then continued sitting on the others quite faithfully for over a week! The little chicks were doing great. I had them all in an isolation cage, with the sides barricaded by siding and concrete blocks, and the baby chicks were starting to explore while mom sat on the rest of the eggs.

The bad news: apparently skunks can jump. I came out last Saturday morning to find out broody dead and eaten from the inside out, the chickies gone, one of the eggs eaten, and the others cold. I put them emergently in the incubator we got, but when I had to run out of the house it shot up to 120 degrees. There are still 3 that look like they have something in them, but I doubt they're still developing. Overall, a very depressing first broody experience. Our local feed store has Giant Cochins just ready to go outside--I was thinking of raising some to be broodies for next year. And I've chickenwired the isolation cage 3 feet up in preparation.

I HATE SKUNKS!!!