Day 4-7, broody hen and eggs! :D *Pics added soon!*

[77horses]

So our broody hen, named Setherina, is sitting on 10+ eggs! (some are Red StarXRIR that we threw in there for her, and some are her own and her sister's eggs, and the father is a Splash Cochin).

Some of the eggs are more developed than others; so I guess it will be a "staggered hatch". After candling, about 2-3 eggs have veins, 1 has veins and an embryo, and most are about to develop veins.

Any advice, info, etc. on staggered hatches???

So far, some eggs have "?" marks on them. Most have an "X" on them, which means that they are developing. And one has a "X" on it with a "+" next to it, which means that it is 100% fertile and the embryo and veins are visible.

So eggciting!


I will add pics of some of the eggs being candled later.
Thanks for reading and if you have any info about staggered hatching, please share!

P.S. just for some extra info, we are letting the broody hen hatch and raise the chicks herself.

 

[slightlyscrambled]

If the hatch is to staggered she may abandon some of the eggs after the first chick/chicks hatch. I had this same scenario and my hen waited only one day and then left the nest

all the eggs she left died because I dont have an incubator

 

[77horses]

aww that's too bad.

I do have an incubator, but it's currently having temp. difficulties.

It's perfect temp. in the top where the turner is, but the bottom is too hot. Tried a fan and more air holes, but it didn't help.

But if I fixed the bator, and if she does abandon the eggs that are going to hatch later, could I put them in the incubator, let them hatch, and then return the chicks to the broody hen? Would she still except them with the rest?

Thanks!