Day 20 with a broody hen

[ChickenCanoe]

So they were supposed to hatch on Friday. I normally don't recommend interfering with a broody hen but we are now 2 days late. Any updates?

 

[jessicachick23]

So they were supposed to hatch on Friday. I normally don't recommend interfering with a broody hen but we are now 2 days late. Any updates?

No she’s still sitting on them but nothing has changed

 

[ChickenCanoe]

A broody hen, unlike an incubator will normally hatch in exactly 21 days.

 

[jessicachick23]

A broody hen, unlike an incubator will normally hatch in exactly 21 days.

Yeah, I'm not very optimistic. I don't know what happened. She sat on those eggs every single day and did not get up often. I candled and saw 2 eggs with movement, however, they are ones that were added by other hens a few days after the initial ones and I don't know what day they are on.

 

[Yardmom]

How many eggs is she sitting on now? How many did she have on the 25th?

 

[jessicachick23]

How many eggs is she sitting on now? How many did she have on the 25th?

She has 12 right now. She started out with 12, I had to remove 2 on the 13th day because they were not developing, and now she is back to 12.

 

[Yardmom]

Hopefully she will be able to hatch both additions in a good time frame.

 

[ChickenCanoe]

Yeah, I'm not very optimistic. I don't know what happened. She sat on those eggs every single day and did not get up often. I candled and saw 2 eggs with movement, however, they are ones that were added by other hens a few days after the initial ones and I don't know what day they are on.

The 2 volunteers are likely still able to hatch since they weren't set on the 25th.
Many of the other may not have been fertile nor were they able to develop for a multiple of reasons.

 

[jessicachick23]

The 2 volunteers are likely still able to hatch since they weren't set on the 25th.
Many of the other may not have been fertile nor were they able to develop for a multiple of reasons.

I'm sad. They look to be pretty well developed I just don't see any movement. It's been multiple days after so I guess there is not much hope. This is my second time trying to let my broody hatch and it's failed.

 

[ChickenCanoe]

So the breeders in question are your birds?
What is their primary food?