Dilemma

[kirschev]

Hi all! Advice please - I’m a novice so thank you in advance
I have a broody cochin, she’s been sitting on some hatching eggs bought through the post but I thought none would hatch when I candled. One egg is on day 16 now and there is a chance it could hatch.
I ordered another 9 eggs which haven’t arrived yet when I thought I’d get a 0 hatch. If I get one hatch and put the new clutch under broody I risk her either not looking after chick or losing all the new eggs - which js most likely? I think she will stop sitting to look after the single chick do you agree? In which case… should I make a mad dash and go and buy an incubator for the rest? (Cheap Chinese version arrived from Amazon which I’m returning!)…. If I hatch a load in incubator will she accept new chicks as her own?

Or, would she continue to sit and might the other girls in flock raise her single chick? This is all assuming said egg hatches - which does seem likely at the mo.

Thanks for any thoughts xx

 

[Sussex19]

Hi all! Advice please - I’m a novice so thank you in advance
I have a broody cochin, she’s been sitting on some hatching eggs bought through the post but I thought none would hatch when I candled. One egg is on day 16 now and there is a chance it could hatch.
I ordered another 9 eggs which haven’t arrived yet when I thought I’d get a 0 hatch. If I get one hatch and put the new clutch under broody I risk her either not looking after chick or losing all the new eggs - which js most likely? I think she will stop sitting to look after the single chick do you agree? In which case… should I make a mad dash and go and buy an incubator for the rest? (Cheap Chinese version arrived from Amazon which I’m returning!)…. If I hatch a load in incubator will she accept new chicks as her own?

Welcome!
The most likely thing that will happen, is that she will leave the new eggs to take care of the chick.

Or, would she continue to sit and might the other girls in flock raise her single chick? This is all assuming said egg hatches - which does seem likely at the mo

There is almost 100% no chance that the other hens will raise it, in fact they may well kill it if there is no mother hen to protect it.

The best thing to do, would be to let her raise just the one chick (if it does hatch) and buy an incubator for the others.
Even if her egg doesn't hatch, you don't want to give her a new clutch, as she will get too warn out sitting for that long. If that does happen, you will want to just 'break' her, either by just shutting her out from the nest, or if that doesn't work by putting her in a dog crate or something that is raised off the ground.
Best of luck, and I hope the egg hatches!

 

[kirschev]

Thank you!! Much appreciate the advice. She’s been sitting since January bless her - I keep lifting her off to eat and drink and few times a day. She is desp for a chick!

 

[Sussex19]

Thank you!! Much appreciate the advice. She’s been sitting since January bless her - I keep lifting her off to eat and drink and few times a day. She is desp for a chick!

They are so determined aren't they!
Is there a farm store or anywhere that sells chicks near you? I just thinking if her egg doesn't hatch, if you couldn't get her someday old chicks.

 

[kirschev]

They are so determined aren't they!
Is there a farm store or anywhere that sells chicks near you? I just thinking if her egg doesn't hatch, if you couldn't get her someday old chicks.

Great idea - hadn’t thought of. Would she take the ones I may have to put in the incubator as her own however? Increasing her brood sizeably!

 

[Sussex19]

Great idea - hadn’t thought of. Would she take the ones I may have to put in the incubator as her own however? Increasing her brood sizeably!

The problem there is they are going to be very different ages aren't they?
If her egg hatches, you would have to add more chicks of the same age in the first 24 hours.
If it doesn't hatch, then you could, if you are sure she isn't getting too thin to wait another 3 weeks.

 

[kirschev]

Thank you if the egg does hatch and I have another 9 in incubator- would I have to effectively raise them until they’re strong Enough to go outside and be introduced to the flock?

 

[Sussex19]

Thank you if the egg does hatch and I have another 9 in incubator- would I have to effectively raise them until they’re strong Enough to go outside and be introduced to the flock?

No worries at all!
Yes, unless another hen were to go broody.
You would need a brooder with heat lamp, or some other chick heater.
I am not the best person to talk to about that though, as all my chicks have been broody raised.
@ChickNanny13 do you have any advice? (sorry if you're not the right person to tag!)
I 'think' 6 weeks is a good ballpark as to when they could go in with the main flock.

 

[ChickNanny13]

@Sussex19 tagged so let me under what's going on ... @kirschev has a Cochin that went broody, she purchased eggs & put them under her. At 16 days, only 1 showed to be promising. She ordered 9 more, wondering if she could stick those under broody & chick that hatches ... I don't incubate but a friend does & I raise her single hatches.

IF that single chick hatch under the Broody, you can leave it and wait out the rest for at least 3 - 4 days before giving up on the remainder. Candle them first & do the smell test. Depending on when the 9 eggs show up, she may not set & raise that chick.

OR you can remove the chick & raise in a brooder BUT whatever you do, do NOT expect any other hen in the flock to raise it, they will kill it. Once you remove the chick from the Broody, there is no putting it back.

Being that Broody has set the 21days on what she's sitting on now, I'd be concerned as to sticking another set of eggs under her. Feel her body mass, they do loose alot of weight setting. Some would be ok having her set again but I remember what it's like being pregnant, to do another right after ... That's the way I think about it. But it's your choice ... Cochins are a broody breed, never had them and Orpingtons are broody too but I always "break" them after I seen how much it affects them.

Now IF you allow her to raise this singleton ... Incubate the 9 you're expecting, the incubated will be raised by you. As to when you can introduce to the flock everyone has their own opinion. Where are you located? Depending on weather conditions ... The incubated can join the flock outside once they are fully feathered (6 - 8wks) HOWEVER, they still need to be protected from the flock ... They are intruders.

1) Block off a section of the coop with wire, or a wire cage "See but no touch" . The flock can see them & get accustomed to having them around but not get to them. This takes a few week to sometimes longer, depends on your flocks dynamics & breed. When you're comfortable set out a few more feeders/waterer, keep a close eye. There will be pecking order issues, you could set out some "hiding" spots (boxes or obstacles) that the younger ones can hide from the older ones.

2) Wait until the younger ones are about the same size as the flock but still do a "see by no touch" introduction. The young ones will be more able to fend for themselves being the same size. Some add the young ones (same sized) at night when it's dark, on the roost with the rest, may not be as "noticeable" by the flock. Again have extra feeders/waterers out.

*** Sorry so lengthy and not sure I answered the question but what ever you do don't expect another hen to raise that single chick.

 

[kirschev]

This is all so helpful really appreciate the lengthly reply! I will see if this singleton hatches and then go from there I think. Incubator ready, she doesn’t seem to have lost weight but I totally agree with your point, I feel so sorry for her and I know how I felt post pregnancy too! Just want her to have her baby / babies and return to normal now!