Hatching with 2 broodies

[jools2014]

Update-well I found a dead chick today It was in with the straw I'd taken out of the nest box yesterday. I hadn't looked really closely yesterday-there was a lot of straw in the box and the chick was kind of squashed all in with the straw. Maybe it got suffocated I don't know, I couldn't see any blood but it was too squashed to see any injuries. I could only see the one. The nest box still smelt bad so I decided to get the broodies off the nest and clean it, worried about ruining the one remaining egg. I only took about 5 minutes but it was enough to break one of them out of being broody! I didn't even think she was waiting to come back to the nest, but maybe she saw I'd cleared it all and then gave up. The other broody I had put in a dog crate with some infertile eggs to see if she would still sit-this broke her out of being broody too! By the afternoon both of them were out again with the rest all afternoon like nothing had ever happened after weeks of sitting in the box with only a break of a few minutes! The broody in the dog crate I moved in the morning as I forgot it's better to move them at night, so maybe she would've stayed broody if I'd moved her at night. It didn't matter though anyway as I'm quite happy for them to give up being broody now after all this, I certainly wouldn't go through hatching anything straight after the last TWO failed hatches!

About the remaining egg...I picked it up, no pips or anything and heard something move up and down in it (I didn't shake it I just picked it up and heard something) I was pretty sure this chick was then dead since none of the other eggs sounded like that, I read that a dead chick sounds like it's rattling inside the egg. It didn't sound right anyway. Since both broodies were off the nest for the rest of the day, I got rid of the egg. I cracked it open, and to my surprise there was no chick in it. I don't get why it was rattling, it sounded like a solid in the egg but it was still just a yolk- I guess it was infertile, which makes me wonder if the other eggs were too, except for the one chick I found. I suppose I'm lucky this egg hadn't exploded! So that's the end of my hatching, it's been a pretty awful experience!

When I shut them up one broody was back on the perch, to my surprise the other broody was in the box again! I thought once they'd left the nest all day that was it, they were over being broody! Anyway, I moved her into the dog crate for the night, and she looked like she settled right down and shuffled the eggs I'd put there (infertile) under her! So now I'll see if she sits, and in a couple days if she is still sitting in this new place, I'll buy some day old chicks to put under her, but obviously be very careful and watch her and make sure she takes to them ok. I'm still in two minds about this or whether to just give up. Maybe it was just an accident what happened to the poor chick, but they were sooo careful the whole time with the eggs, and it's still odd how all of the eggs but one bad egg disappeared!

 

[16 paws]

Update-well I found a dead chick today It was in with the straw I'd taken out of the nest box yesterday. I hadn't looked really closely yesterday-there was a lot of straw in the box and the chick was kind of squashed all in with the straw. Maybe it got suffocated I don't know, I couldn't see any blood but it was too squashed to see any injuries. I could only see the one. The nest box still smelt bad so I decided to get the broodies off the nest and clean it, worried about ruining the one remaining egg. I only took about 5 minutes but it was enough to break one of them out of being broody! I didn't even think she was waiting to come back to the nest, but maybe she saw I'd cleared it all and then gave up. The other broody I had put in a dog crate with some infertile eggs to see if she would still sit-this broke her out of being broody too! By the afternoon both of them were out again with the rest all afternoon like nothing had ever happened after weeks of sitting in the box with only a break of a few minutes! The broody in the dog crate I moved in the morning as I forgot it's better to move them at night, so maybe she would've stayed broody if I'd moved her at night. It didn't matter though anyway as I'm quite happy for them to give up being broody now after all this, I certainly wouldn't go through hatching anything straight after the last TWO failed hatches!

About the remaining egg...I picked it up, no pips or anything and heard something move up and down in it (I didn't shake it I just picked it up and heard something) I was pretty sure this chick was then dead since none of the other eggs sounded like that, I read that a dead chick sounds like it's rattling inside the egg. It didn't sound right anyway. Since both broodies were off the nest for the rest of the day, I got rid of the egg. I cracked it open, and to my surprise there was no chick in it. I don't get why it was rattling, it sounded like a solid in the egg but it was still just a yolk- I guess it was infertile, which makes me wonder if the other eggs were too, except for the one chick I found. I suppose I'm lucky this egg hadn't exploded! So that's the end of my hatching, it's been a pretty awful experience!

When I shut them up one broody was back on the perch, to my surprise the other broody was in the box again! I thought once they'd left the nest all day that was it, they were over being broody! Anyway, I moved her into the dog crate for the night, and she looked like she settled right down and shuffled the eggs I'd put there (infertile) under her! So now I'll see if she sits, and in a couple days if she is still sitting in this new place, I'll buy some day old chicks to put under her, but obviously be very careful and watch her and make sure she takes to them ok. I'm still in two minds about this or whether to just give up. Maybe it was just an accident what happened to the poor chick, but they were sooo careful the whole time with the eggs, and it's still odd how all of the eggs but one bad egg disappeared!

This is just me, but I would get her some chicks if she stays on the nest. After this big disapointment it would cheer you up to see her raise the babies. That is a real joy to watch her teach them and protect them. It has worked many many times for me.
I am sorry you found the chick, I know exactly what that feels like.

The chick may of been weak and not meant to live. We never know. Try not to give up as there are still many beautiful things about keeping chickens.

Marie

ETA
I wonder if they got up off the nest because it was real hot. It is 100 degrees here today. I have seen my broodies not cover the eggs all day when it is this hot.

 

[jools2014]

Thanks Marie, it was very hot yesterday, well as hot as it gets here in England! I thought one would still be broody today but they were both out with the others all day, it's been quite cold today, safe to say they have finished being broody. So I wonder how I'm ever supposed to separate a broody chicken when she is just not interested in sitting anywhere but her one box? It isn't practical for me to separate the one box and broodies from the rest, I did think that once the chicks were hatched I'd move them all to the dog crate, but why I didn't move them before is because I know they only want to sit in that box and they won't sit anywhere else! Anyway, this is over for me now until next year when I might try again, but definitely with only one broody and watching her closely.

 

[16 paws]

Jools,
Do you have a picture of your set-up. In case you want to try next year I would have a plan ready. I put chicken wire over the nest box one time for a broody I did not want to move. It worked out great. Here is a picture of Pancake in the community nest box with her hatch. I provided other nest boxes for the other chickens.
Marie

 

[tommysgirl]

Thanks Marie, it was very hot yesterday, well as hot as it gets here in England! I thought one would still be broody today but they were both out with the others all day, it's been quite cold today, safe to say they have finished being broody. So I wonder how I'm ever supposed to separate a broody chicken when she is just not interested in sitting anywhere but her one box? It isn't practical for me to separate the one box and broodies from the rest, I did think that once the chicks were hatched I'd move them all to the dog crate, but why I didn't move them before is because I know they only want to sit in that box and they won't sit anywhere else! Anyway, this is over for me now until next year when I might try again, but definitely with only one broody and watching her closely.

Here is one way to move a broody with eggs that has worked for me:

Give her a couple of days with eggs and provide a different nest box if desired for the other girls

After a few days with the eggs prepare a dog crate with a door for the broody: Food water and nesting material

At dusk move some of the eggs into the new nest in the crate

Immediately move her into the crate too

Then move the rest of the eggs

She should settle in on them but shut the door on her just in case. If she has food and water in there she can stay over night and into the next day. She will need to be let out to dust bathe and poo but she should go right back in.

Good luck for next time.

 

[jools2014]

Actually come to think about it I could separate the nest box next time and try something like the set-up you have Marie. Lovely photo there of your broody! Don't have a camera right now or phone that takes photos (not very technologically inclined!), the nest is just a big box on a shelf off the floor.

Tommys girl thanks for the tip, I did do something very similar and it didn't work-she looked like she settled down on the eggs but come the morning she stopped being broody, but if I did it exactly the way you describe ie moving the eggs the way you describe, it might work next time. Couple of things to try anyway, I'm so gutted I can't try again this year, part of me wants to just get an incubator and hatch them myself but I would so rather have a broody do it the natural way and avoid a lot of the work for me.

 

[Pooman]

Holy mumma... 285 pages. No chance of catching up lol.. Greetings all. I'll assume there are the normal broody issues, chicks carking it, others doing great. The world goes round...

Ive got my first broody awesome. However, she is my sickest chook. Has tried to die multiple times on me. But i keep saving her.. Anyway, we have been setting eggs weekly in the incubators so im letting her sit for a week and ill give her what hatches on Saturday. Hopefully she will take them, she has 6 golfballs, willingly accepted mind you and there are 7 eggs looking good for the weekend. Im expecting 4-5 given our recent hatch rates.

Now just wanted to put it out to team broody some issue i have been having. Before i create a new thread some where entitled Spurs, Claws, Saddles and nasty Hen damage.

Well here it is, with alittle more experience now some things have become obvious. Roosters are ********, fit strong and dangerous. Except for my indian game (cornish) who is an unco softie. The Orpingtons and the Plymouth are to be wary of.

So issues became obviously when i found Molly 6 months ago getting harassed terribly by two young Roos. (Molly is the current broody) she couldn't walk, had injure red her leg, and had a massive gash down her side (we are talking the muscle and rib apcage exposed). We later figured the gash was done the day before when she escaped in with an older roo wih massive spurs, and the leg was done by the young ones. So new rule, keep all roos and hens separate unless breeding. We stitched Molly up, antibiotics and into the hospital. The cut has completely healed, but the leg hasnt and she now has a permanent limp. We wont breed from her.

Went with 2 breeding flocks, the Plymouths and the indian game with some orpingtons. Bzzzzzz wrong. The indian game spurs are lethal and befor to long all girls sustained various damage. So, really need to deal with these spurs.

I have seen removal by twisting the outer layer off. A breeder at an auction recently suggested an angle grinder and loping the whole thing off (imsaw other birds like this, seemed neat and no chance of damage), but they can bleed bad when you do this so must be ready to stop it.

We have a saddle which we have been using. Modifications for size of each bird and tightness of fastening is still going on so hopefully they will all have one soon.

Suggestions and solutions to the spur/toenail damage from Roos is appreciated.

Also quick update on the chick situation.

Have hatched about 30 or so Plymouths and various oprington plymouth crosses out. The pure orpington and indian/ orpington have been failing so far due to issues like above. So the brooder is quite active and the area in the main coop is quite busy too. The broody is going to have to raise in the main area of the coop. Fun stuff

 

[16 paws]

Hello Pooman,
Sorry but I have no experience with that issue at all. Never heard of that kind of damage from mating. I would post your question in emergency thread and see what they say there. My roos are bantams and pretty mellow except for my very young black silkie roo.

Marie

 

[Pooman]

So whats going on. Where are all the old crew who made this 385 pages.

Teila

Where are u

I had a funny attempt at 2 broodies, 2 sisters hatched last year Orp/plymouth cross, sitting and sitting, massive puff balls. I love em lol. Gave em eggs for a week or almost 2. Moved em to a floor nest (cause other box to high for chicks) then tried grafting chicks on em 3 days later.

Found em in the afternoon of the next day (transplant done at night) all alone shivering while the sisters were up in the usual nest.... Lol, so,chicks back to brooder and the broodies moved to a different area has broken the broodie ness which is good. Not laying yet tho. After 2 weeks..

 

[Olive Oil]

Yipeee!!!! There is always room for another Sara.

Beautiful birds! That Blondie is pretty darn gorgeous but every last one of your girls is easy on the eyes.

Such sweet babies! I love your color variety. You are welcome. I have had the exact same experience trying to learn the genetics stuff...I glaze over and my eyes cross

I am glad I was able to express myself. I guess it's all these years in the cassroom.

Good Luck...I will be interested in how the shipped eggs do. I don't want to discourage you but since they normally recommend getting shipped eggs in the incubator within 24 hours of their arrival I am curious what your result will be.


What breed(s) do you have @SAHchickenmom If you are looking to add broody girls my Australorp, her Daughter who is a barnyard mix, a Dorking and a Dorking cross barnyard mix have been my broodies so far.

Beakface saw the babies for the first time and went into her broody noise and Puffer fish act. She isn't on the nest yet but I am willing to bet she will be going broody soon too. I am hoping to give her Birchen Marans eggs when she does.

Then the next proven broody will get BBS Ameraucana

Do you still have Birchen Marans? What egg color are/were you getting from them?