How do I candle eggs?

[HumbleAmerican]

My silkie mama kept laying while she was broody. I just had a few that hatched a little later than others. My broody hen is the one laying (I mean, all of them are laying, but she is specifically laying "into" the brood), but seems "loyal" to all the eggs (Does this make sense?). Should I take the new eggs away from her? Or could I let her continue for a little while?

If she is actively setting on them round the clock any new eggs at this point aren't going to make it IMHO. Id mark what you have, and remove any more. If she's still laying for sure, you can wait until she is setting around the clock then remove extras. Full broody hens shouldn't also be laying in my experience.

 

[ThePhoebeFive]

If she is actively setting on them round the clock any new eggs at this point aren't going to make it IMHO. Id mark what you have, and remove any more. If she's still laying for sure, you can wait until she is setting around the clock then remove extras. Full broody hens shouldn't also be laying in my experience.

She's sitting on them kinda sporadically. She is acting broody. (I can mess with her when she's laying, but she has been fussing at me if I mess with her, now. She is pretty protective of them. She hasn't been sleeping with the flock on perches, but in the nest box with the eggs. And has just generally shown the other signs I noticed in my silkies.) However, she has been taking longer breaks in the middle of the day than I think my other mamas did. Do you think that that means I can keep letting her lay?

 

[HumbleAmerican]

Worse case scenario you have fail to hatch eggs.

My broodies take 15 minute breaks when its cold, and up to 1.5 hours when its hot. If she's on them day and night she's full on broody. She may be at the start of it.

 

[ThePhoebeFive]

Worse case scenario you have fail to hatch eggs.

My broodies take 15 minute breaks when its cold, and up to 1.5 hours when its hot. If she's on them day and night she's full on broody. She may be at the start of it.

Thank you so much for your help! I was a little concerned about how long she was off the nest. She's a first time mom, and not necessarily the breed of chicken who makes a good mama, so I was a little worried.

 

[HumbleAmerican]

I'm convinced even first time momma chickens already know more about being a momma than I do. Being her first batch though.... pay attention at hatch. Some are loony and think fresh chicks make great snacks.

 

[ThePhoebeFive]

My hen went full on broody last Sunday. I had 12 eggs under her. Thanks to everyone's help I successfully candled them on Day 6. Nine out of twelve were deffinitely viable. (I am going to keep the other three until the next candling just in case, since this is the first time for me.) Thank you, everyone, for your help!

Here's a picture of one (The black mark on the right side was the mark I put on it.):

And, just for fun, the mama hen:

 

[jacksonsquare]

The light from a cell phone works as well. I’d suggest candling from the big/round end. You can shine it downward, this way it’ll help you determine size of the air cell as well. I’m not sure how often you should candle either a broody, but you’ll be looking for good veining and will be able to see development of the embryo as well. Depending on when you candle you may be able to see flicker of a heart beat, and eye, just a dark blob, etc.

That’s what I use. its the camera light on the cell phone. Handy.

 

[jacksonsquare]

I'm convinced even first time momma chickens already know more about being a momma than I do. Being her first batch though.... pay attention at hatch. Some are loony and think fresh chicks make great snacks.

I had a hen that did that. I never let her set again.

 

[ThePhoebeFive]

I had a hen that did that. I never let her set again.

I have been warned! I don't think mine will do that, she super smart, but I will watch her closely.

 

[HumbleAmerican]

I had a hen that did that. I never let her set again.

I'm quick to cull in situations like that. My current small batch has broodies 2-3 at a time and I dont interfere. No deaths, no problems. Hell, they co-mingle the horde and the only time momma gets all her gang is when its time to roost.

Broody hens are a lot of fun, and in my flock any broody (not talking silkies.....) has a spot to be spoiled until she dies a natural death. My favorite broody was 7 and went broody like clockwork.