Decisions about my broody

[rlhagan56]

Ok, I was under the weather for a while and hubby took care of everyone. After getting back on my feet I noticed I had a broody or two. Asking my husband when she started sitting on the nest was to say the least, no help. Next day two were trying to brood in the box. That was the same day I found my beautiful Java rooster Arnold dead (that's another adventure with a long story) and so I thought I would leave my broody alone since she was sitting on the last of the fertile eggs. I finally put the other broody in another pen because they kept fighting over the nest and I found some eggs kicked out. Now is 10 days later and I candled her 10 eggs. I had no idea how far along they were, and 4 were green eggs I could see nothing in. The other 6 had 3 that looked about 12 to 14 days along and 3 that looked about 8 days along. Yeah I should have checked and marked them right away. And somehow or another while making breakfast one egg had a little embryo in it. As I gave my husband a dirty look he apologized. Sorry for the long post but, when the first ones hatch should I take those chicks to put under my brooder to encourage the broody to hatch the others and not leave the nest, or let nature take it's course and leave them be. Or if she leaves the nest with a few, and I take them to put in the brooder will she go back to sit on the eggs? IDK what to do.

 

[sourland]

If you want her to finish the hatching, I would remove the chicks as rapidly as they hatch. Hopefully that will encourage her to continue setting.

 

[Yardmom]

I agree best chance for all to hatch would be to remove chicks as soon as possible. Would you be able to find an incubator if she leaves the nest?

 

[rlhagan56]

No, I don't have one or know anyone that does. I might get lucky and some of the others might start brooding soon. Then I could try to sneak the eggs under them if needed. Last year every Java and Ameraucana I had tried to be broody at this time. Thanks for the advice. I'm going to be on pip watch I guess. She doesn't growl or get bothered by me, but I'll still be careful. Just wish I could get her to get a drink or eat, she's determined.