Hens sitting on eggs - now what do I do? Day 21 is in 2 days

[GrandmaCluck]

P.S. Thanks for the pictures - they are beautiful!

 

[UGAchick]

Quote:
Your chickens are beautiful!!! I love the look of chickens free ranging around the yard. Too bad my dog would interpret that as lunch.

Anywhoo - I am following this thread closely. I have my first broody right now and had the exact same questions. I am also concerned that the eggs were not hers (I took them from my incubator). Will the hen (and potentially roo) still protect them if they aren't their own?

 

[GrandmaCluck]

I don't think they know if the egg is theirs or not. The eggs I have my chickens sitting on are from various hens. I think that as long as they are there when they are hatching, they consider them theirs.

 

[GrandmaCluck]

Bugdoodle06 - I found this article on the web and give some GREAT information!!!

http://www.themodernhomestead.us/article/Broody-Hens-4.html

 

[vnploveschickens]

Hi GrandmaCluck, UGAChick, & Bugdoodle06.

Luna sat on eggs that were not hers. And right now, I have another BO, Loko, that is sitting on eggs that are not hers. They don't know the difference and the rooster doesn't know that they are his. The hens just want to sit & hatch, and take care of the chicks.

This is my 3rd experience. Loko tried in November, 6 eggs, but none of them developed at all. Then Luna, now Loko again.

I don't know what the hen does when the eggs starting to zip but she did whatever she needed to do her job. I think the chicks go under her wings. The chicks were fine. Instincts.

Let me know if I can help you with any other questions. I'll be happy to share what I've experienced with this beautiful process.


Val

 

[GrandmaCluck]

Thanks Val!
This is really an exciting time. I don't have a spare dresser drawer but I do have a spare extra large dog crate. I set that up in the coop - put in alot of pine shavings and moved Gracie and her 2 eggs to the crate. Gracie is the one that nests in the corner on the floor with Lucy sitting next to her. Gracie adjusted very well and went and sat on the eggs. With no eggs to sit on Lucy went outside and became normal. I didn't want 2 mothers fighting over the chicks so since Gracie was sitting on them from the beginning, she was my choice for the mother. One of the eggs is slightly cracked and I hear chirping inside.

I set up the second extra large dog crate for Cinnamon - the crabby one that is blocked in the nesting box. I set up the crate the same way I did for Gracie. Moved the eggs and then when Cinnamon came in from outside I put her in the crate. She would have nothing to do with it. Wouldn't even look at her eggs. All she wanted was out. I put 2 of her 3 eggs back in the nesting box and blocked her back in. The 3rd egg had a little hole pecked thru and lots of chirping going on. I put this one in with Gracie as I think my chances of chick survival are better with her. She accepted the egg like it was hers all along.

I'm going to spend alot of time tonight out in the coop and hopefully I will see 2 live chicks soon!

 

[GrandmaCluck]

I have a baby chick!!!! Gracie is being such a good mom. Maybe I will have more in the morning - but at least I have one!

 

[Vanessabuffsnsilkies]

Yay! Its so exciting...

 

[vnploveschickens]

Congratulations, Grandma!! Its so exciting.......Send some pictures when you can!


Val

 

[GrandmaCluck]

2 more hatched during the night so I'm up to 3! 2 eggs left to go. Gracie had a black chick under her (Barred Plymouth Rock) along with her Delaware. Cinnamon had a Buff Orp under her that looked like it's belly was pecked at. I gave her to Gracie but she is too weak to withstand the tramplings of the other 2 chicks so I now have her in my ofc infirmary. Once she is able to hold her own I will stick her under Gracie at night. Question. Her underbelly is bloody - dried now. Do I wash it? If so, with what? I'll send pics as soon as I can figure out how to do it.