Help!! Broody hen and eggs disaster!

[humblehillsfarm]

If reading through these forums, and trying to hatch under my own broody has taught me anything, it’s to always have a plan B. I tried to move mine to a broody coop at night and she would have none of it. I know others have a lot of success with this. I ended up partitioning off a portion of her usually coop with fence and she settled in nicely. Today her eggs are almost fully unzipped! I hope you can find what works for you and your mama hen.

 

[RoosterML]

Leave them in the main coop. No need to move her while they are sitting on the eggs. It’s up to you once they hatch if you move mama and chicks together. I currently have a Broody I just put 5 eggs under in the main coop. Not sure why people are so worried about moving them. Mama picked the spot because she feels safe, now leave her be. Only danger may be once the chicks hatch with other chickens picking on them. In which case mama will protect. Now I go with if mama picked the spot mama gets the spot. Good luck!!

 

[Rose Quartz]

Leave them in the main coop. No need to move her while they are sitting on the eggs. It’s up to you once they hatch if you move mama and chicks together. I currently have a Broody I just put 5 eggs under in the main coop. Not sure why people are so worried about moving them. Mama picked the spot because she feels safe, now leave her be. Only danger may be once the chicks hatch with other chickens picking on them. In which case mama will protect. Now I go with if mama picked the spot mama gets the spot. Good luck!!

For me, rats. The adults are fine. Anything under 8 weeks not so much. I'm about 1 day of work away from having a more secure coop finished though.

 

[RowanTheRed]

Leave them in the main coop. No need to move her while they are sitting on the eggs. It’s up to you once they hatch if you move mama and chicks together. I currently have a Broody I just put 5 eggs under in the main coop. Not sure why people are so worried about moving them. Mama picked the spot because she feels safe, now leave her be. Only danger may be once the chicks hatch with other chickens picking on them. In which case mama will protect. Now I go with if mama picked the spot mama gets the spot. Good luck!!

I usually leave mine be, and this time I've done the same. However, this time has a very poor outcome. My broody was in a nest that many of the others prefer. All through the 21 days there would be extra eggs under her every night. And I'd collect them every night. One the evening before the hatch date I went out one last time to check for extra eggs under her. Instead of extra eggs I found two squished dead chicks. One had pipped and looked to be half way out when it died, they other I couldn't tell but it was inclosed in a crushed egg and dead as well.

 

[RoosterML]

I usually leave mine be, and this time I've done the same. However, this time has a very poor outcome. My broody was in a nest that many of the others prefer. All through the 21 days there would be extra eggs under her every night. And I'd collect them every night. One the evening before the hatch date I went out one last time to check for extra eggs under her. Instead of extra eggs I found two squished dead chicks. One had pipped and looked to be half way out when it died, they other I couldn't tell but it was inclosed in a crushed egg and dead as well.

That really stinks.

 

[RowanTheRed]

That really stinks.

Yes it does. She's continued to sit in that nest for the past week. I finally broke down and bought her some day old chicks to satisfy her maternal drive. I move her to a protective pen in the coop yesterday evening and then went out a few hours later to slip in the babies. As far as I know the little family is doing well. Moma seems happy but very protective! I'm hearing little chirps from under her, but none have ventured out yet.

 

[Sagey_7878]

Hey everyone! The araucana has accepted the eggs and is going well with the move! She has only got off once today and I’m very happy! I bought an ecoglow brooder 1200 as I’ve always wanted and needed one, as well as if she doesn’t look after them as she’s only been broody for a few days, I can still look after them! Now day 18! Thanks everyone again, I’ll keep you updated.