Broody Hen Thread!

[Angie16hearts]

The egg could contaminate the others, which would be my main concern. I've had dirty eggs hatch, but usually they got dirty later in development. You could try brushing away from of the dirt, or even attempt scrubbing it with a damp cloth, but this removes the protective layer on the outside which can make the chick inside more prone to bacterial infection.
All and all, I'm really not sure.  Its a beautiful colored egg though.

I put dirty eggs in after a dip in sterilizer.  Mostly they hatch.

This is a bit of a delicate balance! I think the important point here is to do as little as possible to get rid of the dirt so that it does not contaminate the other eggs or the chick inside the dirty egg. If the dirt can be lightly brushed away, then that is great. Otherwise gently scrub it with a dry cloth or if that doesn't work, use a damp cloth. As Gita noted, an egg is covered by an invisible protective layer and so you don't want to damage that otherwise the chick inside is more at risk of infection. 

Thank you for all the advice! I broke my phone so wasn't able to read messages. I rubbed it a bit and put in incubator. I'm worried now! I have 100$ worth of eggs in the incubator should I pull it out?
I'm praying some off these hatch ! As my last batch is three cockerels. Plus a pit bull hopped our fence and killed 4 hens 2 top of the pecking order and my best Broody!! And first hen

later to find out the same dog killed the owners bunnies the same day. I'm completely devastated to loose my pepper plus the other three. Great neighbors keep letting the dog out. Plus enjoyed telling us some awful words after I had to finish one of my babies off!

so sad! Both of the top two hens that got attracked tried to go broody a few days before. I broke them but keep thinking what if....

 

[16 paws]

Thank you for all the advice! I broke my phone so wasn't able to read messages. I rubbed it a bit and put in incubator. I'm worried now! I have 100$ worth of eggs in the incubator should I pull it out?
I'm praying some off these hatch ! As my last batch is three cockerels. Plus a pit bull hopped our fence and killed 4 hens 2 top of the pecking order and my best Broody!! And first hen

later to find out the same dog killed the owners bunnies the same day. I'm completely devastated to loose my pepper plus the other three. Great neighbors keep letting the dog out. Plus enjoyed telling us some awful words after I had to finish one of my babies off!

so sad! Both of the top two hens that got attracked tried to go broody a few days before. I broke them but keep thinking what if....

That is so sad, I am truly sorry you had to go thru all that. Comforting hugs and prayers going out your way.

I have had dirty eggs hatch before, try not to worry, it will work out the way it is meant to be.

 

[blkjak]

I have had an egg so dirty u could barely see any shell hatch into a lovely silkie pullet so dont worry.

 

[tarahtt]

I apologize in advance for the newbie question. I have my first broody hen. My aunt's fertile eggs were switched for the non fertile ones on August 9th. Should I be expecting chicks around the 30th? How many days does it take til hatching? If breed matters...hopefully not, they are easter eggers, so no telling what all is in them...

Thank you!

 

[lazy gardener]

Yep, you should expect some peeps around the 30th. May be a day or more either side of that day. How many eggs is she setting? Is she in a location that is safe and where she won't be harassed by any of the other hens? One thing you want to do is ensure that no one else drives her off the nest, or she doesn't get confused and go set on an other nest, or have other hens lay eggs in her nest after she starts setting. I had my first broody (well... first one in 45 years or so) hatch 6/8 chicks 3+ weeks ago. It's been a lot of fun watching them grow and watching her take care of them.

 

[tarahtt]

My set up is a good sized coop with an opening at top where there are 2 nests. I was thinking of closing off the top area, which will be as easy as closing the big door and placing some of that wire mesh over the chicken sized opening to prevent chicks from falling and prevent the other hens from getting up there. That area is about 2 1'x1' nests and about a 2.5' x 1.5' box with a roost. It will be a temporary place until they are hatched and I can move them. I will also add a nest box a little lower along with another roost for the other girls. I was wanting to place some 2x4s down there anyways. I am sure the little roost on top isn't good enough. Their coop is usually open for them to go out into the yard. I'm in an area where preditors aren't much of a threat. They just get closed in at night. Here are some pics of the top portion I'm talking about. If you have more tips, please do share! Thank you

Oh, and there is now a run built in behind the coop for those days they have to stay in. Oh! And 12. There are 12 eggs.

 

[chicksurreal]

My set up is a good sized coop with an opening at top where there are 2 nests. I was thinking of closing off the top area, which will be as easy as closing the big door and placing some of that wire mesh over the chicken sized opening to prevent chicks from falling and prevent the other hens from getting up there. That area is about 2 1'x1' nests and about a 2.5' x 1.5' box with a roost. It will be a temporary place until they are hatched and I can move them. I will also add a nest box a little lower along with another roost for the other girls. I was wanting to place some 2x4s down there anyways. I am sure the little roost on top isn't good enough. Their coop is usually open for them to go out into the yard. I'm in an area where preditors aren't much of a threat. They just get closed in at night. Here are some pics of the top portion I'm talking about. If you have more tips, please do share! Thank you

Oh, and there is now a run built in behind the coop for those days they have to stay in. Oh! And 12. There are 12 eggs.

Love it! Thanks for sharing!

 

[tarahtt]

Thank you

My amazing husband built it for me.

 

[artsygirl]

My Tetra Tint went broody. We had to assist three hatches, first time mom, we lost one, another died under my friends hen who fosters the unhatched eggs the two babies are adorable

 

[GitaBooks]

Thank you for all the advice! I broke my phone so wasn't able to read messages. I rubbed it a bit and put in incubator. I'm worried now! I have 100$ worth of eggs in the incubator should I pull it out?
I'm praying some off these hatch ! As my last batch is three cockerels. Plus a pit bull hopped our fence and killed 4 hens 2 top of the pecking order and my best Broody!! And first hen

later to find out the same dog killed the owners bunnies the same day. I'm completely devastated to loose my pepper plus the other three. Great neighbors keep letting the dog out. Plus enjoyed telling us some awful words after I had to finish one of my babies off!

so sad! Both of the top two hens that got attracked tried to go broody a few days before. I broke them but keep thinking what if....

I'm so sorry. That is really hard.