We have one hen that's constantly going broody. Three weeks ago, I decided to let her go ahead and sit a nest (she sat last year, but had no hatchlings from that set). We put 9 eggs in her nest and she's faithfully kept them through the last weeks. Yesterday, one of the eggs hatched, and she's seemingly forgotten about the others. When I went to check the nest, I found 2 severely damaged eggs that have not yet pipped, but are still live chicks. I'm pretty sure one of my other hens went after these eggs through the sides of the cage - the broody hen had moved them to the edge of the cage. Tomorrow is day 21. I'm not sure what I can do to help,if anything. Both chicks are breathing, and peeping. Should I leave them be? I brought them inside for two reasons: 1) Today is the hottest day we've had yet, and I was afraid they would start to dry out. 2) The nest is in the coop (though inside a cage) and I'm apprehensive about bacteria issues now that the shells are busted. I've attached a pic below, and any help would be HUGELY appreciated.
Thanks!
Thanks!