Broody Hen Thread!

[LibRat]

this is only my opinion based on what I read here. Unwashed eggs will keep for a couple of weeks on the counter. I've personally eaten eggs that have been at room temp for 2 weeks, and they were fine. If you wash them, you need to refrigerate since you wash off the bloom that protects them from bacteria. You shouldn't ever wash eggs you are going to hatch, either, for the same reason. I have read that they will hatch after sitting out for 2 weeks, but that the viability goes down after 1 week. If she shows signs of going broody, you should be able to let her lay her own clutch, but my BO stopped laying 3 days into her broodiness. She has been on the eggs for 6 days so I'm hopeful she will stay faithful to them. I'd go over to the incubating and hatching thread and look at the sticky about care of hatching eggs. It is really interesting.

Ok thanks!

 

[Jharper]

My hen has killed 3 more chicks this morning!

 

[CAjerseychick]

My hen has killed 3 more chicks this morning!

Oh no!

 

[Jharper]

Oh no!

I'm hardly going to have any chicks left by the end of the week!!!!

 

[sharol]

Can you put the chicks in a brooder and leave her to her murderous ways? I'm thinking she isn't cut out for motherhood.

I'm hardly going to have any chicks left by the end of the week!!!!

 

[Jharper]

Can you put the chicks in a brooder and leave her to her murderous ways?  I'm thinking she isn't cut out for motherhood.

I've got them up for sale. I'll see what I can do with them. It's just when she wants to go to sleep or if she is in the brooder pen thing "broody pen" I call it.

 

[Shellz]

Oh no Jharper! Some broodies just aren't cut out for motherhood. I could understand if it were 1 or 2 chicks, but clearly the problem is with her. So sorry!

 

[Jharper]

Oh no Jharper! Some broodies just aren't cut out for motherhood. I could understand if it were 1 or 2 chicks, but clearly the problem is with her. So sorry!

Yeah. I might give her a second chance at motherhood next time she goes broody. Only with a few though.

 

[Shellz]

I suppose if she had more experience at being a broody, that might work. I really don't know, to be honest. My 2 broodies now are first timers, so it remains to be seen how they will actually 'mother' the chicks. If you can afford to do it, do it. I learn best by such experiments. Best of luck to you with your broody!

 

[chickenoverlord]

It has been raining here (northern nc) a lot lately, and my broody got her eggs muddy. She is a first time mother, but she has been sitting tightly. The eggs are scheduled to hatch july 15, will being dirty prevent it?