First time broody hen breaking eggs

[Kanarciso]

My 8 months old light Sussex chicken became broody and I bought 7 fertilised eggs. She has being sitting on them for 19 days and on the last 3 days we noticed that every day she cracks an egg. Today we have 4 eggs left and one dead chick besides her. Is it a normal behaviour for a first timer? Why would she be doing that and what should I do? I don't have many chickens, should I try again next time she is broody?

 

[sourland]

Some hens are just clumsy and do not make good broody hens. Is there any possibility that other hens are trying to gain access to the nest ?

 

[Kanarciso]

Some hens are just clumsy and do not make good broody hens. Is there any possibility that other hens are trying to gain access to the nest ?

No really, I thought the ducks were eating the eggs so I isolated her. She is alone in her big cage and yesterday there were a dead little chick besides her...

 

[Aapomp831]

8 months old is kind of young. Kinda the reason why 16 year olds don’t make good mothers (yes yes, I know there are success stories but you know what I’m saying). I would break her of the broodiness and maybe try again when she’s a little more mature.

 

[aart]

Do you have an incubator for those 4 remaining eggs??
I would not let her set again.

 

[Finnie]

My 8 months old light Sussex chicken became broody and I bought 7 fertilised eggs. She has being sitting on them for 19 days and on the last 3 days we noticed that every day she cracks an egg. Today we have 4 eggs left and one dead chick besides her. Is it a normal behaviour for a first timer? Why would she be doing that and what should I do? I don't have many chickens, should I try again next time she is broody?

8 months old is kind of young. Kinda the reason why 16 year olds don’t make good mothers (yes yes, I know there are success stories but you know what I’m saying). I would break her of the broodiness and maybe try again when she’s a little more mature.

I agree, that you may have better luck on her next try when she is older. I‘ve been breeding caged birds for 10 years. I have found that a lot of bird traits are common to all birds, whether pets, wild or poultry. It is very common for first time (caged bird) mothers to have issues that resolve with practice. I wonder how many people have ever given a bad broody chicken a second chance before deciding she is “always” a bad mother. Perhaps give her cheap eggs next time? I mean, there would still be an emotional cost if the experiment goes awry, but at least it wouldn’t be compounded with a financial one. Also, the idea to put the remaining eggs into an incubator is a good one. A backup incubator is a good plan anyway, because you never know when you might have to step in to help even a good broody.

 

[Kanarciso]

8 months old is kind of young. Kinda the reason why 16 year olds don’t make good mothers (yes yes, I know there are success stories but you know what I’m saying). I would break her of the broodiness and maybe try again when she’s a little more mature.

Thanks for the advice! I will let her sit on the remaining eggs, after all it's only 2 days to go now...

 

[Kanarciso]

Do you have an incubator for those 4 remaining eggs??
I would not let her set again.

I don't have a incubator
And now it is only 3 eggs left... Tomorrow should be 21 days...

 

[Kanarciso]

I agree, that you may have better luck on her next try when she is older. I‘ve been breeding caged birds for 10 years. I have found that a lot of bird traits are common to all birds, whether pets, wild or poultry. It is very common for first time (caged bird) mothers to have issues that resolve with practice. I wonder how many people have ever given a bad broody chicken a second chance before deciding she is “always” a bad mother. Perhaps give her cheap eggs next time? I mean, there would still be an emotional cost if the experiment goes awry, but at least it wouldn’t be compounded with a financial one. Also, the idea to put the remaining eggs into an incubator is a good one. A backup incubator is a good plan anyway, because you never know when you might have to step in to help even a good broody.

Thanks so much! I do agree that 8 months is a bit too young to sit on eggs, but hopefully she is learning and will do better next time!
I did only buy 7 eggs and the cheapest I could find, so the financial stress is not high. Emotionally my kids are a bit sad as they expected fluffy chicks and so far we had 4 dead ones. We don't have an incubator as it was supposed to be just a bit of fun, but hopefully we try again next year with more success!