Hatching Under a Broody Hen

[WVduckchick]

So far she’s doing great with hatching a lot! We’ll see how many hatch... the only reason we’ve been giving her the food and water is because it’s chilly enough in the garage we didn’t want wet hatching chicks to get chilled while she eats... once they are all dried off we won’t need to worry about that as much.

So I just thought I would tell you all on here... the weirdest thing happened! Last night we went out to remove hatched shells and re-situate her eggs for her (good thing we did because some were away from her!) and when we picked her up (gently after checking her wings for chicks), we noticed two chicks dangling from her. As in, their little feet were off of the ground. We put her down to carefully inspect the situation, and her down was wrapped around their necks! We carefully had to trim it off her and then pull it off the chicks... but we are super lucky we found them because they would’ve been strangled!

Wow, great catch!
I had one little serama hen that hatched 5. For the first week, they would hunker down on the ground, so at dusk, I'd go and sccop all 6 up at one time, and sit them inside the coop. Until she taught them the ladder.

 

[ChuSayBok]

So far she’s doing great with hatching a lot! We’ll see how many hatch... the only reason we’ve been giving her the food and water is because it’s chilly enough in the garage we didn’t want wet hatching chicks to get chilled while she eats... once they are all dried off we won’t need to worry about that as much.

So I just thought I would tell you all on here... the weirdest thing happened! Last night we went out to remove hatched shells and re-situate her eggs for her (good thing we did because some were away from her!) and when we picked her up (gently after checking her wings for chicks), we noticed two chicks dangling from her. As in, their little feet were off of the ground. We put her down to carefully inspect the situation, and her down was wrapped around their necks! We carefully had to trim it off her and then pull it off the chicks... but we are super lucky we found them because they would’ve been strangled!

SO GLAD! this is why I micromanage my broody hens (sometimes)
I've never had that particular problem, though. Cringe..

 

[stephcraig78]

Hey I hope I’m posting in right place for this but here’s what I have going on. I live in mid Missouri. Temp today is 30 degrees f. We have a small mixed flock of a few chickens and 3 turkey. Two hens are silkie and we have a sizzle rooster. One of the silkie hens we call Smokey and the roo are like a little married couple. They are constant companions. They sleep together in their own space inside an old truck camper away from all the other birds. Anyway they have breed many times and about 2 weeks ago she went totally broody on a clutch of about 17 eggs. We found out a few were from the other silkie who snuck in her nest and left unfertlized eggs. We have close watch on her and the eggs including several candlings. We are now getting close to hatch time. I need as much input from you all about what I should do. She has always been outside but this is her first winter as she is not even a year old yet. I am worried about the cold. But also know it is harder on them to move them to warmer place then try to move back to cold. When it comes time for the hatching will she be able to provide the warmth and humidity needed? Should I move her box into garage where it’s protected but not much difference in temperature? Thinking I should prepare a brooder box-if so how do I make a basic one? I’m gonna post a few pics of the least developed then mid developed and finally the ones we think are closest to hatching. Please help me with any tips or suggestions you may have. Thank you all in advance!!!

 

[stephcraig78]

 

[song of joy]

@Arya28 - Update? Just checking to see how many have hatched so far.

 

[stephcraig78]

 

[gimmie birdies]

Those are not ready to hatch. Frizzle chickens should have about 6 eggs to set on. full sized hens not more than 12. If they were ready to hatch they would be all dark, but maybe a bit of air cell showing.

 

[WVduckchick]

Hey I hope I’m posting in right place for this but here’s what I have going on. I live in mid Missouri. Temp today is 30 degrees f. We have a small mixed flock of a few chickens and 3 turkey. Two hens are silkie and we have a sizzle rooster. One of the silkie hens we call Smokey and the roo are like a little married couple. They are constant companions. They sleep together in their own space inside an old truck camper away from all the other birds. Anyway they have breed many times and about 2 weeks ago she went totally broody on a clutch of about 17 eggs. We found out a few were from the other silkie who snuck in her nest and left unfertlized eggs. We have close watch on her and the eggs including several candlings. We are now getting close to hatch time. I need as much input from you all about what I should do. She has always been outside but this is her first winter as she is not even a year old yet. I am worried about the cold. But also know it is harder on them to move them to warmer place then try to move back to cold. When it comes time for the hatching will she be able to provide the warmth and humidity needed? Should I move her box into garage where it’s protected but not much difference in temperature? Thinking I should prepare a brooder box-if so how do I make a basic one? I’m gonna post a few pics of the least developed then mid developed and finally the ones we think are closest to hatching. Please help me with any tips or suggestions you may have. Thank you all in advance!!!

Its tempting to want to move them, or provide heat, but honestly, I would only recommend adding some wind-break, if they are exposed to any harsh winds. Otherwise, they can most likely handle the temps. A truck camper sounds cozy for them.

Some of those candling pics look like they have stopped developing. Are those ones that you pulled?

 

[stephcraig78]

And finally the closest to hatching

 

[gimmie birdies]

moving forward 6-8 eggs that look like the same amount of development. Remove any that do not have blood vessels. View attachment 1204144 a good egg would look like this.