Hatch didn't go so well... but???

[HereChickChickChick88]

Okay so this is my first broody hen. I ordered hatching eggs from someone online (after searches locally failed), and the shipping clearly wasn't the best (packaging was great, but the eggs were clearly mishandled). My hen was able to hatch 2/12. She's still sitting on two of the eggs trying (it's day 24), and the seller wants to ship me new eggs (free of charge for the mishandle) whenever I'm ready. What are my best options? Should I wait until another hen goes broody or will this hen stay broody for another round? is this unheard of? I can take the chicks from her and leave the eggs if that would help - I'm raising these chicks for a friend that doesn't have the time/space to raise them as chicks inside her house so I told her I would let my hen raise them until they are old enough to go into a coop outside her house. She wanted more and I kind of wanted to keep a few myself, so needless to say this has been disappointing. Any suggestions appreciated. Thanks in advance!

 

[rIrs roost]

It take a lot out of a broody hen. But I have had them almost at hatching point and the chick died but the hen stayed broody long enough to hatch more. But I had my bator ready just in case. If she's already hatched the 2 I would be scared that she wouldn't sit long enough to hatch more. But I've never had them hatch and taken the chicks and let them hatch more so I really couldn't tell you. I'd probably wait though.

 

[rIrs roost]

Almost forgot. Welcome to BYC. I love it here. I'm sure you will too. I've learned a lot from the folks here.

 

[HereChickChickChick88]

It take a lot out of a broody hen. But I have had them almost at hatching point and the chick died but the hen stayed broody long enough to hatch more. But I had my bator ready just in case. If she's already hatched the 2 I would be scared that she wouldn't sit long enough to hatch more. But I've never had them hatch and taken the chicks and let them hatch more so I really couldn't tell you. I'd probably wait though.

Thanks for the reply. It's tough b/c I can see she really wants a specific two eggs to hatch (she separated these two from the rest and is only sitting on them), but the time frame makes it seem as though it's probably impossible. How long is the longest it's taken your broody to hatch an egg? She definitely favors these eggs... does she know something or just coincidence?

 

[HereChickChickChick88]

Almost forgot. Welcome to BYC. I love it here. I'm sure you will too. I've learned a lot from the folks here.

Thanks, and I love your pic - silkies are my fav. Love my silkie bantams - my rooster is my boy, he's so sweet to me.

 

[Sneebsey]

I would let her keep the chicks and discard the other eggs, since they are very late at this point. Have you candled at all?

Remember that when your girl is broody, she is putting her own needs behind those of her possible offspring. A broody hen will eat and drink sparely (I start to feed mine chick crumbs as soon as they start setting their eggs for this very reason - the higher protein count is important to keep them going), and will leave the nest only to eat/drink/poop. This will take a toll on her body if she continues for too long.

I also wouldn't take away chicks unless they are in any danger from her (ie; an unproven broody can attack her chicks etc). I feel that she is probably a rather better mother in the sense of socialising her chicks than I am.

 

[rIrs roost]

Thanks for the reply. It's tough b/c I can see she really wants a specific two eggs to hatch (she separated these two from the rest and is only sitting on them), but the time frame makes it seem as though it's probably impossible. How long is the longest it's taken your broody to hatch an egg? She definitely favors these eggs... does she know something or just coincidence?

Honestly the ones that I've had broody has either hatch them a little early or on the 21st day. That's not saying that they can't hatch a little late though. You may be able to hold the egg up and listen for chirping. sometimes if it's a bad egg you can smell it. You can also candle it to see what may be going on inside the egg.