Help!

[nanaluvsgps]

My silkie has gone broody and I have know idea how to see if the eggs are developing properly or how to collect for candelling . . . not sure when they need candelling. If anyone has any information that would be great!

 

[sumi]

Most people say you should wait a week before candling. Before that you won't be able to see much. Also it's best not to disturb the eggs too much during the early stages of development. Take the eggs out from under her one by one and try to be quick if you can, so it doesn't go too cold. This thread will tell you what to look for:

Egg Candling Pics: Progression Though Incubation

 

[nanaluvsgps]

Great thread thanks! Can I move the broody hen or she will go off broody?

 

[yo burrill]

Congrats on your new broody!!!!
To move a hen I get a cardboard box big enough for her to roll the eggs around and not break them , about twice the size of the hen I guess, for a nest. She needs room to fluff up and cover the eggs. Then cover the hen with a towel and pick her up. Then put the eggs in the box and put the hen in. This is the important part!! Leave the towel over the box and put the box where you want it. I try to move my hens in the evening when they are settling in for the night. Leave the towel over the box over night and take it off the next morning. I do this even if I am putting her in small pen or dog kennel. This is so that she doesnt have a choice but the settle back down on the eggs. I dont take eggs out from under a broody hen to candle. I like my hands in one piece!!! If I catch her off the nest to go eat then I grab the box and take it in to candle the eggs. But make sure the box is back before the hen is or she wont be happy with you. I dont worry too much about candling broody eggs I figure she knows what to do better than I do. You will either need to cut a hole in the front of the box before you put her in for the chicks to get out when they hatch or you will have to do it after they hatch. (Not an easy thing to do with Momma snapping at you, as you can tell I have forgotten to do this a few times.

Have fun with your babies when they hatch!!!

 

[nanaluvsgps]

Extremely helpfull! She has 6 eggs under her, and I went out and candelled 3 and 2 had veins and a black dot and 1 was well looked like a dud. I did it just then so at 9"30 pm. Will she still sit on her eggs or will i go out in the morning to find she has left the nest :L also i'm not sue I put the eggs back in the same way I found them, will that matter.

 

[sumi]

As long as she got her eggs back she'll be happy. Hens move the eggs round all the time, so it doesn't matter if you don't replace them exactly the way she had them. If I remove eggs from under a broody for some reason I usually just tuck it under her chest and lets her rearrange it. Just watch for her beak!

 

[nanaluvsgps]

haha will do, i thought it was quit strange because when i took the eggs she didn't make one sound or any clucking and didn't even try to peck me! shes a sweetie though!

 

[sumi]

Lucky you! My broodies try to take my hand off when I mess with them.

 

[nanaluvsgps]

HAHA LOL

Sorry, just so many questions. Heres another one her sister keeps on trying to get to the nest to lay an egg I guess. She hasn't laid anywhere else but he's been doing his job if that has sent a message to her. But broody muma won't let her get in the nest with her and you should see the nest hijacker, she starts clucking loudly and will stomp out of the pen and run rast all around the yard. Their looked like a variation in egg colour, so I guess we'll know if their is a black chicken that pops out one day! oh, and if they do hatch i'll post up pic's!

 

[yo burrill]

My Black Broody takes fingers too. Just cause shes a banty she still has a good peck on her!!! Shes a good momma just not a good pet. Your other hen has to be laying somewhere. They cant hold eggs in for very long. She's either started her own nest outside or she in managing to get into the nest.