****Help???how long can an egg peep? first broody on eggs

[chrissieg]

re smilies - just make sure you put a space between your text and the smilie - that way you get

and not!!

 

[chickenlisa]

Thanks-here is another question...if a mama hen is sitting on them, will we get to see any of the pipping stage? Does she stay on them at that point? If she's very grouchy now, will she still be then (pipping and hatching)and with her chicks after they hatch? We'd love to be able to hold them and see them if she lets us.
Lisa

 

[chickenlisa]

Well, there are 11 eggs in there now- the other hens just keep breaking thru the fencing I put up-oh well-I'll just let this go and then maybe take the first few chicks away each day so she stays on the eggs longer...if any hatch that is. I put on heavy gloves to check this and she does get upset, but I am wondering if maybe I should go out each day and pet her head and back to get her to relax and trust me more, then maybe she won't freak so badly if I go out when any chicks are hatching or afterwards to take any out or put them back in...anyone know firsthand about this? Can I foster trust in her like this?
Lisa

 

[chickenlisa]

UPDATE-Oh I just can't wait now- its at least day 14 now...she is still very committed to this-she doesn't scream at me now tho. I go in and pet her head and rub her back (with gloves on!) and she relaxes. So when I go in just to talk to her and watch her, she just talks to me...I'm getting so excited though and will be disappointed if no chicks hatch. She'll be more disappointed than me though, so I hope for her sake that some hatch. I'm not sure what I'll do about the spaced out laying that was done though-if I take the first few days worth of chicks and brood them separately and then put them back in a few days later once more eggs have had a chance to hatch? How long can I safely wait to put them back in? More than 2 or 3 days? These eggs were laid on all different days- some a week later than the first ones.I just could not keep the other 2 hens out. Whatever-I'm so excited I had to write. If only these few days could go faster!
Lisa

OK-now it is day 17. I fenced her off better-I hope and will take any chicks when they come so that she stays on the other eggs longer in hopes that more will hatch.
How do I put "Update" in my post's title?

 

[chickenlisa]

How do I get "Update" to show up in my title? I found 1 egg tossed out of the nest awhile ago, we opened it up outside and it was a broken yolk, all runny and milky looking. No real bad smell though (luckily!) Any ideas why? It had a tiny amt of blood in it also.

Lisa

 

[chickenlisa]

Day 20- nothing noticable yet. But then she is very 'put out' by me checking...I did manage to count at least 15 eggs-all green-and they must be all stretched out timewise from day 20 to prolly day 3 or 2. I only had a space of about 3" and the hens were so determined that they got in and laid under her, but got stuck inside and I had to let them out. I just added more chicken wire to close off all gaps...I don't know if we'll just see chicks all of the sudden or see pipping and hear any peeping when we're out there. Will she continue to sit on them all when they are hatching or does she get up and watch it all?
Lisa-getting excited, but too busy to keep going out there more than 1 or 2 times a day. Kids still in school til tomorrow, ballet recitals end tonight, company went home this morning, college kids home, messy house, etc...Enough to keep me busy for weeks and not notice any new chicks; I just want to see them hatch if I can.
Lisa

I will try to get pix of any chicks later today...if she lets me. See my first post for the updated news! So happy, even if I don't see them actually hatch out of the egg.

 

[chickenlisa]

Here is the first baby photo, along with 1 of the 2 Hens who laid the eggs. The hen on the eggs is the broody one who has sat there for 3 weeks and hasn't budged as far as I've seen. She's a great Mama so far. There is another one peeping under her; I just haven't seen it yet.

Happy Happy Joy Joy here today!

Lisa (I'll add the video link too...once it loads)

 

[joannamarie]

awwwww!!! just watched your video of your hen and chick, that was so cute

 

[chickenlisa]

Thanks Joannamarie- I checked under her this morning and that was the only chick hatched so far. I know I heard peeping after this one was hatched and it wasn't this chick. Is that possible when the hen is outdoors and the other outside sounds are happening? Would a chick still in the egg peep loudly enough for me to hear? I think I heard a few different peeps at the same time and when this one was eating...so I hope other eggs will hatch today...how long can the first 5 eggs take to hatch out? Today is day 22,and I don't know if that's from when she first sat on them or when I noticed her setting.....I'm going out now to see if anything else has hatched...
Lisa

 

[Chelly]

Oh what a sweet story - she is such a dedicated MOMMY - thats sweet, I hope to see more baby pic's soon!