Broody Hen Thread!

[Peach Mom]

I have a super broody, experienced mother, French Black Copper Marans broodie named Bessie. Today (2 1/2 days in) I noticed she abandoned one of her 14 eggs but was dutifully sitting the others. It also had some yolk on it so will check when I go back to see if another egg broke and leaked on it. When I candled and then cracked it I found it was not fertile. Has anyone else had a seasoned "pro" do this either because an egg became soiled or because they could somehow tell this early the egg was not fertile?

 

[fisherlady]

I have a super broody, experienced mother, French Black Copper Marans broodie named Bessie. Today (2 1/2 days in) I noticed she abandoned one of her 14 eggs but was dutifully sitting the others. It also had some yolk on it so will check when I go back to see if another egg broke and leaked on it. When I candled and then cracked it I found it was not fertile. Has anyone else had a seasoned "pro" do this either because an egg became soiled or because they could somehow tell this early the egg was not fertile?

I have found eggs broken from being pushed out of nests our broodies are in... and I have never found one which was broken with a chick developing... every one has been infertile, or at least never even started. I don't know how they know, but it seems like sometimes they do.
It isn't allways... but sometimes they do.

 

[love2grinchicke]

Daisy the Blue Marans is supposed to hatch this weekend.

This is our second broody. The first got killed by a racoon. She's on 13 eggs.

 

[sonderah]

My turkey hen is getting SERIOUS about this becoming a mom stuff!! I've reached in every day and she has stood up and let me look, then laid back down. Today I went to reach in and she hissed at me and flared out her wings! Looks like she's getting deeper into it!!! Yay! Yesterday she took her 30 min break to stretch and eat, but then she also left the nest from 330-6pm. Idk how much she has been in today though. Haven't had time to stalk her. Lol

 

[cwhittington]

I've been tentative about posting but I just can't hold back anymore...I also have a broody due this weekend!! This is the first time I've had a broody start sitting so early in the year...mine have always started sitting after the first of May. This is a new mom from last May's hatch...her mom did awesome hatching 10 her first time so we'll see how she does!

I built a chicken tractor myself last year after having similar issues that some of you have mentioned. I was able to successfully move her nest to it after the first couple of days. She's been dutifully sitting through some nasty weather, peaceful and all to herself tucked in the tractor. Can't wait for baby peeps!

 

[fisherlady]

Daisy the Blue Marans is supposed to hatch this weekend.

This is our second broody. The first got killed by a racoon. She's on 13 eggs.

I've been tentative about posting but I just can't hold back anymore...I also have a broody due this weekend!! This is the first time I've had a broody start sitting so early in the year...mine have always started sitting after the first of May. This is a new mom from last May's hatch...her mom did awesome hatching 10 her first time so we'll see how she does!

I built a chicken tractor myself last year after having similar issues that some of you have mentioned. I was able to successfully move her nest to it after the first couple of days. She's been dutifully sitting through some nasty weather, peaceful and all to herself tucked in the tractor. Can't wait for baby peeps!

Congrats to both on your broodies!! I hope you get to post up some chick pics after they are fluffed out and exploring with mama!

 

[randerson846]

anybody got chicks hatched or hatching ?

 

[fisherlady]

anybody got chicks hatched or hatching

?

Since Valentine's Day we have had 5 hens hatch chicks, #6 setting on eggs and is due in just over a week and #7 has been in a box for a week but I haven't given her eggs yet. Today I have another hen acting clucky and puffy and grumpy... so am expecting her to end up being broody #8, though I'm not going to rush her, we have enough activity already to last for a while.

 

[Peach Mom]

I have found eggs broken from being pushed out of nests our broodies are in... and I have never found one which was broken with a chick developing... every one has been infertile, or at least never even started. I don't know how they know, but it seems like sometimes they do.
It isn't allways... but sometimes they do.

Fisherlady, thank you for sharing that. When I just looked there were 3 eggs broken in the nest. It is very strange. It makes me wonder if she was clearing out the bad eggs. Last year I let her sit just 3 eggs and though she sat them the whole time, only 1 ended up being fertile and hatching. I wonder if they learn what to look/ smell for the second time around?

I cleaned the whole mess up and replaced the intact eggs in fresh hay. Will eggs that got broken egg on them be OK to hatch is my question now???

 

[fisherlady]

Quote:
As long as they weren't totally coated in the egg mess they should be fine. If the eggs were really covered with dried on gunk then you may notice more problems. I have had eggs break in the nest many times, wipe off the messed eggs with bedding or a soft cloth and returned them to a clean nest and had them hatch out. I have had only a couple not hatch, but honestly couldn't say that it was due to having the broken egg mess on them.