First broody hen. What to do?

[jasonvanorder]

So this is our 3rd year with chickens. Last summer we had a hen go broody and just left her to do her thing. It was right when we had a heat wave of temps of 90+ for a couple weeks. None of the eggs hatched. Well right now we have another hen sitting on close to 20 eggs. She’s been sitting for close to 3 weeks now. For the last 2 weeks I wasn’t home and able to check them or anything like that. Tonight I was able to sneak 4 of them from her and 3 for sure are fertilized when candled (completely dark). I know it’s getting close to hatching time if they do this time. What are my next steps? Close off access to her from the other hens and let nature run it’s course? I did notice tonight one of her “sisters” was sitting right next to her in the coop. So not sure if she’s helping a bit or just found a cozy place to sleep too. Any tips and advice is appreciated. Thanks all

 

[Perris]

you will likely get a variety of answers to your questions. The decisions then are yours to take, for what suits you in your circumstances.

I leave my broodies be, but then I have never let a hen sit on so many eggs - can she actually cover all 20? I would expect some not to hatch, besides the one infertile one you already found (did you hang on to it or put it back under?). I would expect her to bring out the clutch after 2 days; she will abandon any struggling to hatch or unhatched at that point, in favour of those that have hatched and need to get out and about for food and water. You will have to decide what to do with any left behind if they are not obviously infertile or dead. Some people have an incubator and try to finish them off in there, but the broody might not take them back if they do hatch, so it could be futile or a long haul chore for you. She herself will need a good feed and drink after sitting tight on the nest for the 1-2 days it takes the good eggs to hatch. A good chick feed should be available not too far from the nest. The rest of the flock can and will eat it, so keep an eye to ensure she and her chicks get as much as they need. The water needs to be close by too, and in a container in which the chicks cannot down; a shallow dish with marbles or small stones in it does fine.

Good luck! And enjoy the experience. A broody with chicks is one of the best parts of chicken keeping for many of us.