Eggs didn’t hatch…

[ErikCH]

Hey guys!

I have 3 hens that went broody a while back, and I like to let them hatch their eggs if they want to.

Two of them were sharing some eggs and another had a few of her own. I set them up in private areas to do their thing, but none of the eggs hatched.

Last year this happened once as well, so I risked it and gave them some new eggs that I got from a local seller and they all hatched in the second round. New chicks and healthy moms too.

So I tried that again this year, and for the one single hen I have 4 new chicks on Easter Day! But for the two hens that are sharing, I got nothing again.

Both hens seem very healthy, no noticeable change in weight, they do go out once a day and scratch around for a little bit.

My question is, at this point should I give them some new eggs and let them try again, or break them from their broodiness?

I really appreciate any thoughts!

I will attach some photos later today if I can get a moment when the chicks are out from underneath mom.

 

[FoodFreedomNow]

If the hens seem in good condition, then you could certainly let them try again...unless it's unlikely they'll be successful.

I've had co-broodies try to share a nest and they ended up breaking some of the eggs fighting over it, so I don't allow it anymore. What happened with the eggs that your hens shared? Were they infertile or did something else occur?

Congratulations on your new chicks!

 

[ErikCH]

If the hens seem in good condition, then you could certainly let them try again...unless it's unlikely they'll be successful.

I've had co-broodies try to share a nest and they ended up breaking some of the eggs fighting over it, so I don't allow it anymore. What happened with the eggs that your hens shared? Were they infertile or did something else occur?

Congratulations on your new chicks!

Thanks for the advice! I gave them 8 eggs to share but there were only 4 when I finally checked again. I wonder if they broke them . The four that are left are at 24 days. I left them to see if they would take a few extra days but no signs of hatching.

If I give them new ones I was thinking of just changing these four out with new ones during the night time.

 

[FoodFreedomNow]

You're welcome! It's possible they broke some, but it's also possible that they knew the eggs were duds and got rid of them.

Can you candle the eggs to see what's going on? If they're non-viable, you'll want to remove them.

 

[ErikCH]

I’ve tried but they’re all various colored eggs and I haven’t been able to figure it out.
I’m probably not doing it right.

 

[FoodFreedomNow]

It takes some practice, and there are some eggs that are pretty much impossible to see into (like some olive eggs). This article has some really helpful photos to use as a reference when you're candling.

 

[ErikCH]

It takes some practice, and there are some eggs that are pretty much impossible to see into (like some olive eggs). This article has some really helpful photos to use as a reference when you're candling.

Ok Thanks! I’ll check it out. And I really appreciate all the advice!

 

[ErikCH]

So I came home from work yesterday and my co broodies were out and about. So problem solved naturally. Haha.

 

[FoodFreedomNow]

Congrats!