First time hatching and I've already made a mistake!

[goldie1234]

Day one and I've already made a mistake!!!!

I split 16 eggs between 2 broodies last night. This afternoon one of the girls was in the run off the eggs I have no idea for how long. She has been broody for a little over a week. She was eating so I didn't worry. About 10 minutes later I noticed she was on the roost. I panicked and felt her eggs. They weren't really super warm so I stuffed all but one under the other broody and threw fake eggs in her box.

I went back down about 30 minutes later and she was back on her eggs. I then pulled a few from the other broody and removed the fakes. Have I screwed up? Should I block the run and put the feeder and waterer in the coop? They were both broody for a while before I gave them eggs.

Now one has 11 and she has about 4. Should I even it out more? I'm so mad at myself!

The broodies are in a coop with an attached run by themselves.

Any advise?

 

[AmyLynn2374]

Day one and I've already made a mistake!!!!

I split 16 eggs between 2 broodies last night. This afternoon one of the girls was in the run off the eggs I have no idea for how long. She has been broody for a little over a week. She was eating so I didn't worry. About 10 minutes later I noticed she was on the roost. I panicked and felt her eggs. They weren't really super warm so I stuffed all but one under the other broody and threw fake eggs in her box.

I went back down about 30 minutes later and she was back on her eggs. I then pulled a few from the other broody and removed the fakes. Have I screwed up? Should I block the run and put the feeder and waterer in the coop? They were both broody for a while before I gave them eggs.

Now one has 11 and she has about 4. Should I even it out more? I'm so mad at myself!

The broodies are in a coop with an attached run by themselves.

Any advise?

I would give her back the eggs and watch her. It's normal for them to get out and stretch their legs. It's a good thing, it's natural. If she is doing it frequently throughout the day, I'd be concerned. Some of the newer incubators now actually have a cool down period for the eggs (about an hour I think) to mimick the natural action of the hen leaving the nest to do her duties. It takes longer for the egg internally to cool down.

 

[goldie1234]

Ok, she's back on about 6 or 7 eggs. Hopefully she'll stay!