Erm... unexpected chicks might be coming - help!

[Lemon-Drop]

1.) Definitely mark the eggs. Candle them and mark the ones that are alive. Didn't read through the whole thread, but do you have an incubator?
2.) Try not to move her if possible, it can cause them to quit. Once the chicks hatch, make sure to see if she will protect them well.
3.) If some eggs seem behind, you may want a plan b. If the chicks start hatching and you know that some eggs are behind, get the incubator running. Broodies will abandon the nest once they feel like their chicks that have hatched need food/water.

Thanks. I marked the eggs. How do I tell if they're alive?
I don't have an incubator-any ways to make one, or are there (relatively inexpensive) ones that are good? (I don't have a job, so I don't have much money))

 

[cherrynberry]

Thanks @cherrynberry. Good idea to get an incubator and brooder ready anyway, just in case she quits?

Just in case some eggs are behind and she abandons them when the others hatch, as well.

 

[Lemon-Drop]

If I get an incubator, I might want to start just hatching them as a hobby. (Though I don't know how my parents would feel...)

 

[cherrynberry]

Thanks. I marked the eggs. How do I tell if they're alive?
I don't have an incubator-any ways to make one, or are there (relatively inexpensive) ones that are good? (I don't have a job, so I don't have much money))

No, I totally get it.

You should see veins. Unfortunately, my phone broke, so I can't show you any example photos. What color are the eggs? If they are 4 days or older, there will be veins. However, darker eggs can be harder to candle.

 

[Lemon-Drop]

No, I totally get it.

You should see veins. Unfortunately, my phone broke, so I can't show you any example photos. What color are the eggs? If they are 4 days or older, there will be veins. However, darker eggs can be harder to candle.

They're cream-colored Silkie eggs.

Ok, I tried using a flashlight, is there something stronger that works better?

 

[cherrynberry]

They're cream-colored Silkie eggs.

Ok, I tried using a flashlight, is there something stronger that works better?

Flashlights work well. Candling in pure darkness is easiest. Cream eggs aren't that bad, luckily.

Is the nest above the ground?

 

[Lemon-Drop]

Flashlights work well. Candling in pure darkness is easiest. Cream eggs aren't that bad, luckily.

Is the nest above the ground?

It's in a corner of the coop (She decided the 14 by 14" nest box wasn't good enough...)
Here's a picture of her. (nesting on the eggs, she's so sweet!)

 

[CapricornFarm]

It's in a corner of the coop (She decided the 14 by 14" nest box wasn't good enough...)
Here's a picture of her. (nesting on the eggs, she's so sweet!)View attachment 3011869

I would try to sort of fence her off from the other birds, in case they are aggressive towards chicks. Put feed and water near here. Ideally, she would have her own little coop and run. Sometimes two hens will take turns brooding eggs and chicks.

 

[CapricornFarm]

If you don't have or can't borrow an incubator, you will have a lot off eggs not fully developed that get left in the nest when the first chicks hatch. Just a fact of chicken life.

 

[HeatherKellyB]

It's in a corner of the coop (She decided the 14 by 14" nest box wasn't good enough...)
Here's a picture of her. (nesting on the eggs, she's so sweet!)View attachment 3011869

She's adorable! You might want to check Craigslist or the marketplace for used incubators to keep prices down. To use a flashlight to candle an egg, you'll want to encircle the fat end of the egg, where the air cell is, with your pointer finger and thumb. Encircle the rest of your fingers and place the flashlight up to the egg. The encircling of your fingers will help direct all of the light onto your egg. You will hold the egg fat end downwards so the flashlight will fit shining on the air cell. It helps if the room is darkened.