Help! Broody discovery, 20 eggs!

[azahn]

Oh, boy. Belgium D'Anver on a hidden nest the painters found yesterday. She is on 20 (yes, 20!) eggs. Surely these are not all hers, right? I had -40-, straight run, day-old bantams delivered back in February. No doubt they are fertilized... but how viable might these be, especially with temp's in the 100's? I was going to start counting 21 days to hatch (?) once I knew she was done laying... but good grief, I never expected 20 eggs under this baby! What to do???!!!??

She was not happy at all when I moved her to count... and she hasn't moved an inch since yesteday. Wouldn't you agree she is broody and planning to hatch those babies? Temp's are in the 100's, and she is under a rosemary hedge.

. Advice? I feel so unprepared to become a grandma!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

 

[kellymommie]

I have no advice, but that is exciting!

 

[Cotton42]

Sounds totally broody to me! As for the high temps, my broodies hatched out 2 chicks in the middle of a 10 day heat wave with 100+ degree temps. They hatched a day early, but are otherwise happy and healthy. I did keep a fan on them during the hottest parts of the day. I donno if you want to leave her under the bush though, would she be protected there at night? Can you move her and the eggs into a secure place, like the nesting boxes or a grow-out coop if you have one?

 

[azahn]

well... thanks Cotton, and yes, I could move her to the enclosed run; suppose I'd have to "enclose her" in the run??? I usually let everyone out to free range for the majority of the day, which explains the hidden nest..... I just don't know what to do. In some ways I am a huge proponet of letting nature run it's course, but then again, the thought of her out there all alone, at night, then babies....

.

 

[azahn]

ps... if that's your home on your Avatar, that is a GORGEOUS dogwood!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

 

[Cotton42]

Thanks! That's my front yard. It's actually 2 trees, a white and a pink.

As for your broody, I would only leave her out if you want her to die. Chickens are very vulnerable at night because they can't see in the dark and a broody is doubly so, because she is going to try and protect her eggs. If you have the option of moving her, I would do it. She's not going to like it, and she might give up on the eggs, but it will most likely save her life.

Edited to add: I don't mean to sound harsh, I'm just paranoid and wouldn't leave a chicken out in the yard any more than I would leave the coop door open at night.

 

[azahn]

Hi Cotton; "Operation Rosemary" is now underway! We just got her transferred with all the eggs into our secure run, in her own little brooding hutch that has an open top. So, she will be locked up safe and sound at night, and free to roam during the day. I hope she doesn't abandon the nest -- after three times encouraging her to set on the 'new' nest, she finally leaped in on her own and was getting settled in right at sundown. I spent half the night last night awake in bed worried about her, so by 6am, I had plans in hand for my DH! Hopefully in a couple of weeks we will have some little ones. I'll keep you posted!

 

[SSTupperware]

Good luck///

 

[1hotmoma]

I was so excited for you but then realized... 20 eggs.. Bless your heart! I hope the best for the hatching. I am glad you moved her to safety.

 

[azahn]

Thanks, ya'll. From what I can tell, she hasn't been on the nest on her own, only when I set her there, then she hops right back out. The only encouraging thing I've seen was just a few minutes ago, when she stayed in for a few minutes and moved 2 or 3 of the eggs around. But she promptly left again. Oh well, we'll see. I've got my fingers crossed!