Broody Hen Thread!

[dan26552]

Big Mama has at the very least five e That's all I could see sitting around her. I think she is probably hiding more plus she's a whole day early. Go her.

 

[draag80]

Some pics for broody hen lovers

 

[Mylied]

Big Mama has at the very least five e That's all I could see sitting around her. I think she is probably hiding more plus she's a whole day early. Go her.

Congrats! Her little baby has the very same look in her eye. Lol.

 

[mysterychick]

Has anyone had experience with a broody eating a bad/non-developing egg????

I have a Silkie sitting on three eggs at present. I last candled on Day 9 and I thought one of them looked suspicious (like possibly deceased fetus) but wasn't sure and it didn't smell, so I put it back to give it a little longer and see what happened. On Day 10, I noticed that she had kicked what I *think* was that same egg to the side and it was cool to the touch, but I also have noticed she has a whole routine going on with these eggs, rotating them and moving them around possibly systematically, and I thought maybe she was just cooling that one. I've been trying not to interfere too much, so didn't know absolutely for sure it was the same one that looked possibly deceased on Day 9. Well, today is Day 12 and I went out to candle and there are only two eggs, and the suspicious one is missing entirely. I Googled and it seems sometimes hens eat the bad eggs. Has anyone directly experienced this? I'd love to know if it happens often. The only other hypothesis I have is that one of the other hens she shares with took it, but I'd prefer to think it wasn't developing and my Silkie ate it to preserve the others.

She is in an elevated nesting box (she will be moved very soon) that is totally free from predators, mice etc, and she shares the coop/run with her BFF Brahma and some 6 week old pullets. Her new home when we move her will have her entirely separated but isn't as insulated and I have been watching the weather due to some overnight low temps and wasn't planning on moving her until Sunday night. The pullets have been leaving her entirely alone so I doubt one of them did it.

 

[microchick]

Big Mama has at the very least five

That's all I could see sitting around her. I think she is probably hiding more plus she's a whole day early. Go her.

I've never seen a duck give the old 'stink eye' but Big Mama has it down pat. Congratulations on the new babies.

 

[lilwildrabbit]

I've never seen a duck give the old 'stink eye' but Big Mama has it down pat. Congratulations on the new babies.

You don't want to be on the bad side of moma duck!!

 

[fisherlady]

Has anyone had experience with a broody eating a bad/non-developing egg????

I have a Silkie sitting on three eggs at present. I last candled on Day 9 and I thought one of them looked suspicious (like possibly deceased fetus) but wasn't sure and it didn't smell, so I put it back to give it a little longer and see what happened. On Day 10, I noticed that she had kicked what I *think* was that same egg to the side and it was cool to the touch, but I also have noticed she has a whole routine going on with these eggs, rotating them and moving them around possibly systematically, and I thought maybe she was just cooling that one.  I've been trying not to interfere too much, so didn't know absolutely for sure it was the same one that looked possibly deceased on Day 9.  Well, today is Day 12 and I went out to candle and there are only two eggs, and the suspicious one is missing entirely.  I Googled and it seems sometimes hens eat the bad eggs. Has anyone directly experienced this? I'd love to know if it happens often.  The only other hypothesis I have is that one of the other hens she shares with took it, but I'd prefer to think it wasn't developing and my Silkie ate it to preserve the others.

She is in an elevated nesting box (she will be moved very soon) that is totally free from predators, mice etc, and she shares the coop/run with her BFF Brahma and some 6 week old pullets.  Her new home when we move her will have her entirely separated but isn't as insulated and I have been watching the weather due to some overnight low temps and wasn't planning on moving her until Sunday night. The pullets have been leaving her entirely alone so I doubt one of them did it.

Yes, hens will eat bad eggs, we hatch in the coop and sometimes in private broody huts, they have done it in both.

 

[Mylied]

Due to bad weather, I brought my mom and babies inside. It is too darn cute watching them. She had babies sticking out from both wings and under her chest.

 

[mysterychick]

Yes, hens will eat bad eggs, we hatch in the coop and sometimes in private broody huts, they have done it in both.

Thank you for the reply! OK wow. so amazing. They are so incredible. I went ahead and moved her tonight because I was worried about another hen maybe having done it. Now I'm worried about her new location being too cold. Never stop worrying for me I guess! Since we're down to only 2 eggs i just want these to hatch!!

 

[mysterychick]

Due to bad weather, I brought my mom and babies inside. It is too darn cute watching them. She had babies sticking out from both wings and under her chest.

So gorgeous!!!