HELP!!! Broody hen nesting 25 days, eggs no good - going to give chicks

[markntracy3]

Opal our black Silkie Bantam has gone broody 3 times and decided not to give up on her non-fertile eggs so we did place 4 fertile eggs under her the third time she went broody, she has been sitting on her nest for 25 days......Our Ameraucana Gemma has been sharing the nest with her as well and my daughter placed 2 additional eggs under Gemma, which Opal took over, then decided to share with Gemma.
Opal pecks at us if we try to touch her since she went broody, Gemma is still sweet.
So we coached Opal off the nest with some greens so I could checked the eggs today with a flashlight and we had to keep her entertained so she would not run back to nest like she normally will do if you go near it and only 1 possibly 2 look like they might have chicks in them, I did however go ahead and order 5 chicks from the hatchery, they are Americana chicks.
I have never done this before I have read that placing chicks near her at night and trying to get the eggs out from under her will work. I am nervous as being I never did this before. Any advice on how I should do this, I do not want her to hurt chicks. And do you think she will be ok with Gemma still.

 

[markntracy3]

Opal our black Silkie Bantam has gone broody 3 times and decided not to give up on her non-fertile eggs so we did place 4 fertile eggs under her the third time she went broody, she has been sitting on her nest for 25 days......Our Ameraucana Gemma has been sharing the nest with her as well and my daughter placed 2 additional eggs under Gemma, which Opal took over, then decided to share with Gemma.
Opal pecks at us if we try to touch her since she went broody, Gemma is still sweet.
So we coached Opal off the nest with some greens so I could checked the eggs today with a flashlight and we had to keep her entertained so she would not run back to nest like she normally will do if you go near it and only 1 possibly 2 look like they might have chicks in them, I did however go ahead and order 5 chicks from the hatchery, they are Americana chicks.
I have never done this before I have read that placing chicks near her at night and trying to get the eggs out from under her will work. I am nervous as being I never did this before. Any advice on how I should do this, I do not want her to hurt chicks. And do you think she will be ok with Gemma still.

Oh and both Opal and Gemma are less then year old so they have never hatched or had chicks.

 

[GirlsMommy18]

Keep in mind this is worst case scenario, you should have better luck. Some hens go broody but are bad mothers. Keep an eye out for pecking of the chicks in case a momma rejects them. Hens can also kill another hens chicks (or the hen), so you may need to be prepared to separate Gemma and Opal if they show this extreme protective behavior.

Basically, have a separate broody area or a brooder ready just in case it doesn't work it with the new mommies. Good luck!

 

[markntracy3]

Keep in mind this is worst case scenario, you should have better luck. Some hens go broody but are bad mothers. Keep an eye out for pecking of the chicks in case a momma rejects them. Hens can also kill another hens chicks (or the hen), so you may need to be prepared to separate Gemma and Opal if they show this extreme protective behavior.

Basically, have a separate broody area or a brooder ready just in case it doesn't work it with the new mommies. Good luck!

yes I was afraid of that......thank you

 

[GirlsMommy18]

Putting them there is simple. Do it at night time, no or very little light, and try to remove the eggs too. Try not to jostle the hens too much. If all goes well, you should make for some very happy mammas!

 

[markntracy3]

Putting them there is simple. Do it at night time, no or very little light, and try to remove the eggs too. Try not to jostle the hens too much. If all goes well, you should make for some very happy mammas!

Thank you......I am hoping for best

 

[Naser]

It will work, I have done it a few times
But you must have the broody hen separated alone with the chicks, otherwise they will be dead in 24 hours, remember to have them in a secure place, as a rule of thumb if there is a way chicks can hurt themselves, they will.

 

[markntracy3]

It will work, I have done it a few times
But you must have the broody hen separated alone with the chicks, otherwise they will be dead in 24 hours, remember to have them in a secure place, as a rule of thumb if there is a way chicks can hurt themselves, they will.

Thank you