Feeling very sorry for my broody hen on day 31

[Hybridchucks]

Poor girl! I don't know chickens but I think your options are chicks or breaking her. If she has already been sitting for 30 days I think another 21 might be a bad idea.

Yes, in my opinion, day old chicks are a better option as the poor old girl would have to sit for 21 days all over again :/

 

[Hybridchucks]

Also, I'd have a brooder ready if something goes wrong and she won't take them. It should go fine though, just to be prepared.

 

[HenniesInMyHeart]

Seconding all the others saying BUY HER SOME DAY-OLD CHICKS and slip them under her one by one in the dead of night/dark as possible! She will think she hatched them come morning! You don't want to have her set anymore. She is a dedicated mama and therefore is depleted from depriving herself from food and water and exercise for a month now. She is wanting chicks; she has worked hard for them and will probably be a very joyous mama hennie now!
Don't worry, there is time enough for you to experience the hatching experience. In this situation, help your hennie; next time get her some hatching eggs if you like!

 

[ChickNanny13]

 

[MsBrahma]

Good news! Glossy is now a happy mother. She talks to her babies all day long and takes excellent care of them. About ten days ago we got her some young chicks from the farm store. The photo below is from their first morning--we followed the advice about the night-time switch. Other than seeming surprised and uncertain at first, she soon transitioned to showing them how to eat, etc. "Right--let's get organized, babies!"

One side note: the store promised a batch of newly hatched chicks on a given date--but these turned out to be mostly turkeys and banties (sorry, banties!). Aghast, but not wanting to make Glossy wait another week, we took youngish (but at least a week old) chicks. Fortunately there was mutual acceptance!

Thanks everyone for your advice and support!

 

[Hybridchucks]

Wonderful

 

[KittyCat13]

How lovely! She looks very happy with her babies

 

[Robert G]

She does look very happy with her new babies. I'm guessing the last egg she had wasn't viable? I'm in the same boat but with 5 broody hens. They should hatch this weekend, but the last time I candled their eggs I had to discard most of them, leaving each hen with only 1 viable egg.

 

[MsBrahma]

Yes, Robert G., her eggs were all duds. It's a real shame about your hens. Five, wow! Maybe you could get a few new chicks for each?

 

[Robert G]

B

Yes, Robert G., her eggs were all duds. It's a real shame about your hens. Five, wow! Maybe you could get a few new chicks for each?

I'm looking around for some, but so far they all have them in incubators. And another went broody.