Hen sitting on 24 eggs ~ 25th stuck to her butt! UPDATE!

[GaNewChick]

My concern is that she will abandon the nest if I snatch her out of it at night. What are the chances that she is so freaked out by this, that she leaves it and never comes back.

 

[Amy's Animals]

I'm not sure if you've ever read any posts on breaking broodies but it is HARD. I highly doubt that this will scare her off, they can take A LOT in order to protect their eggs. If you take her off her nest when it is pitch dark outside remove the egg as quick as possible (to put the least stress on the bird) set her back on her nest, I don't think she'll go anywhere! Chickens can't see in the dark, remember???

How and why would she leave if she can't see anything??? Chickens are not that stupid. Chances are by morning she'll have forgotten the incident or at least thought it was a bad dream. I would worry more about the stuck egg at the moment, it could ruin your whole batch if it cracks and spills and if droppings get stuck on and around the egg it could plug up her vent and prevent her from eliminating, that is when you've got a problem on your hands. The chicken's health should come before the eggs'. Healthy eggs+ unhealthy hen= no chickies and/or dead hen, youve lost both! Bad eggs+healthy hen= no chicks but you've still got the hen!!! You see what I mean???

 

[GaNewChick]

Lordy ~ alrighty. I'll give it an attempt after dark. Thanks everyone...I'll update later!

 

[mmwb]

I agree with what has been said, but on a side...

Consider putting a temporary fence around the nesting area. It may help discourage predators, and when the chicks hatch, it will contain the chicks and hen--hopefully decreasing the mortality that so commonly comes with ranging chicks. Keep her supplied with food and water.

 

[pbjmaker]

So how did it go? Did you get the egg off?

 

[stuckinthecity]

Wow, my broody hen gets taken off the nest ONCE and shes un broody now.... yall are lucky!

And good luck, I know what a pain wild game hens can be

 

[nancymiller]

well, (foot patting restlessly on the floor) what is going on with the hen with attached egg, went to bed , got up to check on you and see how it is going, call me co-dependent, hahahaha

 

[GaNewChick]

Ok...I had no neighbors willing to give it a try after dark....lol So, this morning I put on the gloves (Thank goodness) and a long sleeve shirt. I was able to walk right up to her and talked to her for a minute or two. I reached and petted her with the glove on. She pecked hard about 3 times and then I covered her face with my left hand, took the glove off of the right and reached underneath her. I was able to unstick it by pulling it loose from the egg and not pulling her feathers out. She sat there for me and gave no fight.

Thanks to everyone for your help!!!!!!!!!!!

I found no cracks in it, it was just stuck to her.

 

[Cherlyn]

Yay!

~Cherlyn

 

[nancymiller]

well, I certinly am relieved !!!!

Seems you may have a new "pet hen"