Found a nest in the bushes...now what?

[dragonmorgan]

lol I know. He's such a sweet roo too. He just kept circling back around in front of her and dancin around. He's one of those sweet roos that finds the hens snacks and stuff. I was suprised because he wasn't the top roo when we had other roosters but now that he's the only one he is turnin out to be a good one and he's just now a yr old. If only he would get the hens to sleep in the coop instead of the trees I would have no complaints.

I checked on her twice today, once this morning when I opened the kennel door for her and once this evening when I closed it. I was gone most of the day so I didn't see if she came out any or not but I put some food right outside the kennel for her and it didnt look like she ate any of it. I'll put some water closer to her tomorrow. Looks like she's serious about it right now. I wish I had an incubator on standby in case she changes her mind half way through. o well.

 

[dragonmorgan]

ok she is still on them so so far so good. I check on her twice a day and I haven't seen her out of the cage since we put her in there. Should I worry that she isn't getting out. It doesn't look like she has eaten any of the food i left in front of her cage. We knew it was goin to rain last night and the kennel isn't really under anything so we built a little debris shelter over it to keep the rain out. It worked and she's dry so at least I know the nest will survive the elements. I'm dyin to see if I can see anything in them too so maybe she will let me slip an egg out tonight to check with my flashlight when I go out to close the door.

 

[Granny Hatchet]

they sneak out to eat when no one is around. protecting their eggs. dont be surprised if you get a peck if you try to take a look.

 

[dragonmorgan]

Well I came home this afternoon and she was out with the flock. I went and checked the kennel and it looked like the thing had Ben jostled around. I figure maybe when my hubby took her some bread out either the cow or the dog went after it. Anyway the eggs weren't warm when I felt them but I fixedthe kennel anyway an she was bback on the eggs when I checked this evening. Do y'all think the eggs are still viable or am I more likely to just have a dozen rotten eggs? Will she keep sittin on them even if they are bad? Im a very inexperienced candler but I didn't see much go in on inside the one I checked last night. I only looked at one because she was not thrilled about me dig in around underneath her.

 

[sepaditty1]

A broody will often stay off the nest for 30 minutes or more. If she went back to them, i'd let her do her thing. Even if the eggs weren't warm to the touch, I doubt they would cool enough to harm the chick.

 

[dragonmorgan]

OK thanks. I've been acting like its all good and she's been on them all day so hopefully they are OK.

 

[dragonmorgan]

Its lookin like the eggs are no good. She got up today to eat something and i went out and checked the eggs. they smell like they are rotten and they almost seem oily on the outside, but my hands dont stink. they just dont seem like fresh eggs. anyway our feed store has baby chicks in so i was thinking about giving it another week and then buyin a dozen chicks and switchin those for the eggs one night. will that work? will me digging around under her and shinning lights around make her reject the chicks?

 

[sepaditty1]

I've heard of people doing that. Haven't yet, so not sure about any details, but is has worked for others.

 

[Moody Broody]

Put a portable nest box with hay over at her 'spot' when she's not there and place all her eggs Carefully in the box. Go over later and when she's in the box, you can then take the box over to the chook house, or where you want her to be.

 

[dragonmorgan]

thanks. ive got hubby working on a new coop this week that will be a major upgrade from the one they have now. hopefully it will be done soon and she can be movrd in there with the bitties, if she accepts them. im just hoping she accepts them and dont go all psycho hen on them. im waiting on a new shipment of chicks to get to my co op and imma go pick her some up.