Hatch-Along - Setting eggs this weekend (Jan5/6) WHOS WITH ME!

[fisherlady]

Also yesterday, I discovered that one of my hens has started collecting eggs in a far corner of the coop far away from the nesting boxes. Yesterday she had 9 collected but today it's up to about 13 and I cant figure out what hen it is. Does she know she's about to be broody and is collecting eggs to hatch? I left them last night to try and catch her in the act but I don't want her to gather many more than she can hatch if that is what she is doing. If this is what she is doing, how long until she will start laying on them so i can move her? Anyone know?

I'm not sure of the right answer, my broody went to sitting in her box before collecting eggs...
Is your coop warm enough that the eggs wouldn't freeze? I'd hate to see her try to sit on eggs that were already duds because they had been frozen too long...

The other possibility is that one hen got into the mood to lay in that corner and the other hens just followed suit... and they will keep adding to the pile if they can see it.
For some reason they think whoever laid first did it because it was an awesome spot so they just go along with it.

But for much more experienced answers I'd copy your question and post it over on the broody hen thread. A lot of folks over there with TONS of experience with the broodies than I have!
https://www.backyardchickens.com/t/...ody-hen-hatch-a-long-and-informational-thread

 

[SilkieSensation]

Also yesterday, I discovered that one of my hens has started collecting eggs in a far corner of the coop far away from the nesting boxes. Yesterday she had 9 collected but today it's up to about 13 and I cant figure out what hen it is. Does she know she's about to be broody and is collecting eggs to hatch? I left them last night to try and catch her in the act but I don't want her to gather many more than she can hatch if that is what she is doing. If this is what she is doing, how long until she will start laying on them so i can move her? Anyone know?

If you haven't seen a hen on them in the next day or so then you likely just have several hens who have decided they don't like the nest box. A broody will stay near her collected eggs even before she begins sitting full-time. Also, if you do have a broody, make sure you mark her eggs they 1st day you see her sitting & remove any extras that get tucked into the nest each day either by her or other hens. This will keep her from having a staggered hatch. A broody doesn't often handle a staggered hatch well. She knows the 1st chicks hatched need to be shown the food & water within about 2 days but also may want to continue to sit on the unhatched eggs. Obviously she can't do both so either the remaining eggs will be neglected & not hatch or the oldest chicks will end up dying in the nest because she doesn't want to leave the unhatched eggs. If you do happen to end up with a staggered broody hatch you have 2 choices: Steal the oldest chicks as they hatch & brood them yourself or steal the remaining eggs & place them in the bator. Some broodies will take the chicks back in a few days once hatch completes, but do not count on this happening every time with every broody.

 

[aka Rachel]

I need to get photoshop on my new computer, then maybe I could alter them to be more dramatic.

So general status as of right now..

4/5 - shipped eggs developing.
2/2 - fresh eggs developing.

Those are great odds! Your candler works great too.

 

[SilkieSensation]

yikes ok, so since I am still air the most I should only bump it up to is 60% in lockdown. Now i'm worried about my babies drowning

Just drop it to between 30-40% until lockdown & then raise it to between 40-50%. The hatching babies will raise it the rest of the way.

 

[aka Rachel]

Hatching mutts is so fun. You have no idea what the chicks are going to look like, and then they change even more when they get their adult feathers. The eggs they lay can be surprising too! My first hatch was a practice hatch using eggs from a local farmer's mixed flock. It was the most hilarious looking mix of birds. I wound up with a barred half Polish rooster, with a full headdress of funny striped feathers. I also wound up with this lady:


I'm not sure what she is, but what a personality. I think she looks like Gonzo.

That is priceless!!

 

[SarahJaneB]

I'm not sure of the right answer, my broody went to sitting in her box before collecting eggs...
Is your coop warm enough that the eggs wouldn't freeze? I'd hate to see her try to sit on eggs that were already duds because they had been frozen too long...

The other possibility is that one hen got into the mood to lay in that corner and the other hens just followed suit... and they will keep adding to the pile if they can see it.
For some reason they think whoever laid first did it because it was an awesome spot so they just go along with it.

But for much more experienced answers I'd copy your question and post it over on the broody hen thread. A lot of folks over there with TONS of experience with the broodies than I have!
https://www.backyardchickens.com/t/...ody-hen-hatch-a-long-and-informational-thread

I'm not sure of the right answer, my broody went to sitting in her box before collecting eggs...
Is your coop warm enough that the eggs wouldn't freeze? I'd hate to see her try to sit on eggs that were already duds because they had been frozen too long...

The other possibility is that one hen got into the mood to lay in that corner and the other hens just followed suit... and they will keep adding to the pile if they can see it.
For some reason they think whoever laid first did it because it was an awesome spot so they just go along with it.

But for much more experienced answers I'd copy your question and post it over on the broody hen thread. A lot of folks over there with TONS of experience with the broodies than I have!
https://www.backyardchickens.com/t/...ody-hen-hatch-a-long-and-informational-thread

Ooooh you're so right, they may have just started laying there. I'm still gathering eggs from the nest boxes though too. I just wish I could set a camera in there.

Thanks for the input, If I don't catch her today then I'll assume that and gather those eggs up.

 

[Conchis]

Sooooo....I'm turning eggs starting today. I couldn't stand it any longer. I wonder if my hens need valium? This is nerve-wracking.

 

[SarahJaneB]

Just drop it to between 30-40% until lockdown & then raise it to between 40-50%. The hatching babies will raise it the rest of the way.

Ok will do, thank you for the help

If you haven't seen a hen on them in the next day or so then you likely just have several hens who have decided they don't like the nest box. A broody will stay near her collected eggs even before she begins sitting full-time. Also, if you do have a broody, make sure you mark her eggs they 1st day you see her sitting & remove any extras that get tucked into the nest each day either by her or other hens. This will keep her from having a staggered hatch. A broody doesn't often handle a staggered hatch well. She knows the 1st chicks hatched need to be shown the food & water within about 2 days but also may want to continue to sit on the unhatched eggs. Obviously she can't do both so either the remaining eggs will be neglected & not hatch or the oldest chicks will end up dying in the nest because she doesn't want to leave the unhatched eggs. If you do happen to end up with a staggered broody hatch you have 2 choices: Steal the oldest chicks as they hatch & brood them yourself or steal the remaining eggs & place them in the bator. Some broodies will take the chicks back in a few days once hatch completes, but do not count on this happening every time with every broody.

Lots of info, thank you so much

I am starting to think they're all just laying in that one spot. I'm going to spy on them today somehow and see what's going on.

 

[SilkieSensation]

Ok will do, thank you for the help

Lots of info, thank you so much

I am starting to think they're all just laying in that one spot. I'm going to spy on them today somehow and see what's going on.

If you haven't seen a hen hanging around guarding her stash then chances are they all just decided they liked that corner this week.

 

[SarahJaneB]

If you haven't seen a hen hanging around guarding her stash then chances are they all just decided they liked that corner this week.

I started to figure that. I went out and gathered them. I already have 18 in the bator anyways

that's ok for now.