Broody Hen Thread!

[nessz79]

I have some dark eggs and didn't have a strong enough flashlight so I float tested today (Day 23). All but 3 floated, but I didn't see any movement in the floating ones. I disposed of the 3 presumed duds and put the rest back in the nest for now. I guess I'll give it a few more days...

 

[TiaRC]

I have some dark eggs and didn't have a strong enough flashlight so I float tested today (Day 23).  All but 3 floated, but I didn't see any movement in the floating ones.  I disposed of the 3 presumed duds and put the rest back in the nest for now.  I guess I'll give it a few more days...

You should take one and VERY carefully crack the shell where the air cell is and see what's going on. Peal off a good sided hole to see if there is movement or bad smells

 

[TiaRC]

Ness, is there any chance your days could be wrong?

 

[nessz79]

Afraid not. We got them from a local farm- he breeds chickens as his retirement living and has been doing it a long time (30+ years). We got these eggs from him that had been laid that day or the day before. We put them under our broody the same day. She did rearrange the nest constantly...moving eggs here and there and moving them back. Maybe some were left out too much?

 

[TiaRC]

Afraid not.  We got them from a local farm- he breeds chickens as his retirement living and has been doing it a long time (30+ years).  We got these eggs from him that had been laid that day or the day before.  We put them under our broody the same day.  She did rearrange the nest constantly...moving eggs here and there and moving them back.  Maybe some were left out too much?

Sounds like it. She may had too many to cover. Carefully open one like I said in my last post

 

[TiaRC]

Ness theses babies are now in danger of dying. They can't breath if they don't break the inner membrane and get to the air cell. Its time to act

 

[jklyles1]

My broody is on day 18-19.

Question: When the chicks begin to pip will see push them out from under her?

She is still covering eggs completely. I want to see them!!!! I def want to watch them hatch! I don't want to disturb her either. I candled one yesterday. egg is completely dark except small movement noted right by air cell. SO BEYOND EXCITED!

 

[fisherlady]

My broody is on day 18-19.

Question: When the chicks begin to pip will see push them out from under her?

She is still covering eggs completely. I want to see them!!!! I def want to watch them hatch! I don't want to disturb her either. I candled one yesterday. egg is completely dark except small movement noted right by air cell. SO BEYOND EXCITED!

I highly doubt she will push them out when they are in the process of hatching.... unfortunately the most frustrating drawback to hatching with broodies is that you don't get to watch, even when you might want to. It is better to allow the hen to do her thing and disturb her as little as possible.

 

[jerryse]

Here are some of the chicks my broody is raising .

 

[Juno's Chicks]

Hi everyone! Thank you so much for all the information! I do have a quick question and can't seem to figure out what I should do.

We have our first broody! An Australorp named Gloria! YAY!! She's been like this for over a week and only seems to be getting more into it! Here's my problem.... She's in everyone's favorite nesting box in the coop. I've tried to move her 3 times now. All she does is pace the pen and growl. I let her out and she runs right back to the box she wants. I've moved her at night, made the pen more enclosed, tried easter eggs and the eggs she was already setting on. Should I try moving her at all or just let her be? I really don't want to break her! How long should I let her just pace? Each time she's been in the new pen about 20 hours. What have all the experts done?! THANK YOU!!!