Broody in Michigan Winter?

[HollyDuckFarmer]

I let a duck start in February and none hatched. But no eggs froze and cracked either. I have been breaking Broodies for going on 3 weeks now. :/

 

[aart]

Put these beauties under her this evening, Welsummer cockerel over hatchery EE.
Some are older, some may have gotten too cold before collecting, 2 I know for sure were collected warm:

 

[HanwellChickens]

Put these beauties under her this evening, Welsummer cockerel over hatchery EE. Some are older, some may have gotten too cold before collecting, 2 I know for sure were collected warm:

Such pretty eggs. I plan on breeding my welsumers when it gets a little warmer. I need to get my breeding pens set up first. Hope she hatches them for you

 

[HanwellChickens]

I just went out to let the chickens out into their run and when I went into the coop to check for eggs, I noticed that Mama wasn't on her eggs as another hen had laid with the babies. When I removed the new egg, I noticed on of the eggs had pipped!! So excited!! I couldn't tell if the other eggs had or not and I didn't want to bother them. I put Mama back on her eggs and all is well. I'll keep you all posted Today is day 22. Not exactly sure what time of day I gave Mama her eggs.

 

[ChickenCanoe]

those are beautiful eggs aart

 

[HanwellChickens]

So far, only 1 egg hatched. One egg got trampled by by another hen wanting to lay in the same box, but I do think that it was a dud. There were blood vessels in the crushed shell but no chick. So here is the first baby.






Not sure of the parentage, I only know that it was from one of my brown egg layers and my Welsumer cockerel. Possibilities are Blue Astralorp, Dominique, Buff orpington and Russian Orloff (maybe - can't remember if I put one of hers in there too)

Sorry, the pictures aren't the best quality. Mama didn't really want me to take pictures. I have moved them into a dog kennel inside the coop to keep them safe and to keep Mama from jumping ship and leaving the baby.

 

[aart]

those are beautiful eggs aart

Thanks CC...let's hope they make beautiful baby chickies!

She's sitting tight...but lets me check on them once or twice a day.

 

[ChickenCanoe]

My best advice aart is to mark your calendar for 21 days after you put them under her and forget about her other than providing food and water nearby.
A hen knows what to do innately and a setter is in a semi trance except for daily foray for defecation, stretching, a nibble and a drink.
People do it all the time but disturbing her isn't a good idea - especially when it's very cold out.

 

[aart]

She was up today when I went out to feed this morning....she had eaten and was pacing the wall, stumbling a bit on stiff legs.
I think she wanted to go outside to poop, or at least near the outside, but doesn't have access to the pop door now.
When she was in the main coop before and I'd take her off the nest, she'd go to the pop door and drop her load right inside the door.
I left the coop to get supplies and she was back on the nest when I came back.

I check the eggs each day to make sure none are broken, other than that I leave her alone except to check her food and water.
I'll probably candle the eggs at night around the 14 day mark.


@HanwellChickens any more hatched for you?

 

[HanwellChickens]

She was up today when I went out to feed this morning....she had eaten and was pacing the wall, stumbling a bit on stiff legs.
I think she wanted to go outside to poop, or at least near the outside, but doesn't have access to the pop door now.
When she was in the main coop before and I'd take her off the nest, she'd go to the pop door and drop her load right inside the door.
I left the coop to get supplies and she was back on the nest when I came back.

I check the eggs each day to make sure none are broken, other than that I leave her alone except to check her food and water.
I'll probably candle the eggs at night around the 14 day mark.


@HanwellChickens any more hatched for you?

Nope. Just the one The other egg was pushed way back into the corner of the kennel where is she and was freezing cold. I brought it inside and opened it, and the chick was fully formed but dead. I more than likely won't attempt to hatch with a broody again when it's this cold, but I've chaulked it up as a learning experience.