Broody hen will there be chicks?

[kimberlye]

Hi all~

Have a question regarding a broody hen that has been on eggs for (tomorrow will be day 21) 3 weeks. Does a hen know if there are chicks in the eggs she is sitting on?

 

[Cyprus]

Usually, they will. Hens will typically discard bad eggs.

 

[Mvan42]

Normally yes, if the eggs are bad some will kick them out of the nest. The broody hen I had didn’t do that. But as long as there is a rooster in your flock you should have some chicks

 

[kimberlye]

Yes I have a rooster; and two chicks already born about 7 weeks ago; and hopefully some very soon too! Thanks for the response.

 

[DobieLover]

Hello and welcome to BYC! Glad you joined.
Hopefully you will have a good hatch.

 

[fldiver97]

Welcome Hopefully you’re going to have some chicks soon!

 

[Pork Pie]

Hi Kimberly and welcome to BYC. These links may be interesting:
http://www.backyardchickens.com/t/4...ody-hen-hatch-a-long-and-informational-thread

http://www.backyardchickens.com/t/496101/broody-hen-thread

http://www.backyardchickens.com/a/guide-to-letting-broody-hens-hatch-and-raise-chicks

 

[007Sean]

Howdy and Welcome to Backyard Chickens.

Happy to have you here with us. Enjoy your time here at BYC!

Thanks for joining our community!

 

[AquaDuck]

Welcome to BYC!
If she's still sitting on the nest a day or two after you've heard the first chick emerge, you can lift her gently and see if there's any remaining eggs. These are probably dead, possibly the embryo has died in the last part of incubation and mom didn't get the memo. In that case you can candle and remove the eggs, and provide some food and water near mom so the chicks can have their first meal.

 

[rjohns39]

Hi and welcome to BYC We're so happy you've decided to join us