Hatching Chickens

[The Briar Patch]

Please help I have a hen that has gone broody she decided to nest in my greenhouse and has been sitting on 22 eggs for at least 20 days my dad and I moved her nest last weekend because we thought she was in danger of night prowlers I'm not sure she sat on them that night but in the morning she was just running around them we were both just sick to our stomach thinking what have we done (New at this ) anyway we moved her back and she immediately went back to sitting so she was in the other pen approx 12 hours when I came home last night she was not there and there was an egg broken and one covered in ants I am so upset should I wait a few more days to see if something hatches or do you think they are all dead I don't know how to tell or what to do Thank you for your time

 

[billiejw89]

I did the same thing with our first broody hen a few years ago. She was nested under our camp trailer. I tried to move her a few days before hatch, and she didn't like it. If I remember correctly she did eventually settle on them but none of the chicks survived. They all started to zip, but couldn't make it all the way out. I'm not sure if that was because of the move, or because she was a first timer.

You should give the eggs a few more days. It's amazing what a chick can survive through! Is she setting on them now? If not, put them in the incubator. I've heard some people have used a heat lamp to keep them warm but I'm not experienced with that.

 

[The Briar Patch]

I don't have an incubator but one did come out and made it about 2ft from the nest but it died should I crack the eggs to help out the process or just let in go thank you so much for replying I just love this site also I'm in Florida so it's pretty hot

 

[WVduckchick]

Has the hen abandoned the eggs totally?

 

[The Briar Patch]

Unfortunately I think she has

 

[WVduckchick]

If you want to save the eggs/chicks, you can try making something to help them hatch?

At this late stage, all they really need is a little warmth and humidity. A glass baking dish with plastic wrap over it, with a few holes poked in it can work. Sponges, rags, or even a small dish of water in it to make it humid (keep the wetness off the eggs though) Add heat with a lamp. Err on the side of too cool, as opposed to too warm. They might take a little longer, but too hot will kill them.

Warm them up, then candle and see if you still have movement.