Broody pullet? What should I do?

[bobbieschicks]

I've been worried about her lately - the temps have dropped considerably into the 20s and it snowed on Saturday - just flurries and little accumlation - but still cold. She's been fine so far - but I'm wondering if I should add a heat lamp out there for her sake. The rest of them would be affected because the lamp would be heating the whole coop and not just her portion. What do you think?

 

[bobbieschicks]

Okay -never mind about whether to add heat - I already got my answer. I just read on another 4 day old thread a Alaska chicken owner that doesn't add heat recommend leaving them alone and that they will be hardy enough and let them grow the way they were created to grow. I suppose I want to leave them alone anyways - since if they can't make it in the outside conditions unaided by me, then they would not likely be able to survive. I love perennials for the same reason - have to be hardy or I can't keep them.

I think I will candle again tonight - just to satisfy my curiousity about whether anyone is growing under her. She's such a young pullet - I guess I don't trust her judgment in these matters.

Then I'll leave mom & babies alone until after they hatch - which is coming soon! Maybe even Sunday

 

[bobbieschicks]

Used my high powered flashlight and looked when I took her out to eat her food at noon. I couldn't see the right growth in the WL eggs, but her eggs looked far enough along. So maybe she will have three hatch out this weekend. I'll try to get back out at dark and candle.

 

[StarLover21]

Yay! Chicks! That' so exciting. Yes, she should be fine with the cold. Maybe add a heat lamp once the chicks hatch...I'm not sure. They'd probably be okay under mama. Will you leave the chicks where they are, or move them somewhere else once they hatch?

 

[bobbieschicks]

I've been trying to figure that out I probably will leave them with her where they are since they are secure there. But I will have to divide the area to make room for bandits babies.

 

[bobbieschicks]

I did a quick look this morning and it still looks like just her three eggs are on target. I am thinking she will hatch them next weds. But I did forwarn DH to watch for chicks while I am out of town.

Will I need a heat lamp for them? Won't momma keep them warm? I'll add one if I need to but would rather not if I don't have to.

 

[bobbieschicks]

Checked on her this morning - no new chicks yet - she just growled at me so I left her alone. I wanted to candle the eggs again, but I'm afraid of messing with them now.
Will she continue to sit on any unhatched ones or will I need to intervene?

I'm so looking forward to more babies

 

[bobbieschicks]

She's sitting on 6 eggs (3 white, 3 green) - I candled them a few minutes ago - they should be around Day 18 development - however I can see thru the 3 white eggs - they either are very slow or stopped developing. And the 3 green do not look on target for hatching in 3 days or any time soon.

So what do I do - do I leave the eggs alone and let her figure out eventually that they aren't going to hatch? Will she figure it out - this is her 1st time of being broody. Is there still a chance for them to hatch past the 21 days of incubating under her? I am eager to break her of this broodiness since she's not really hatching anyone as far as I can tell.

 

[bobbieschicks]

None of her eggs were developing properly. So I put 8 of my bator Wellies & AMs under her to hatch on Tuesday. Hoping for some chicks

 

[bobbieschicks]

She's smooshed down flat as a pancake keeping those eggs warm - my momma wannabe seems happy on her nest.