How hatching works under a broody? Newbie help please!

[PouleChick]

Thank you for your explanations (and cute pic ) - I keep reading about zipping and pipping but haven't been sure what they meant (I figured I would work it out at some point!).

The chicks will "zip" the fat end of the egg off. It rotates and breaks the shell, a little at a time.

Lovely - just the clear explanation I needed!

Feel around for empty shells under the hens, but don't raise their bodies any more than necessary. They are regulating temperature and humidity to be perfect for hatching.

I'm glad I got the rotton one out at 11 (and Idid lifther off totally )and then I couldn't resist checking again at about 5 as I was so worried about the lack of pips (although she was 'talking' since yesterday afternoon which is most unusual - she is usually totally silent!) but only lifted her wings - I shall leave her totally alone until the morning - I'd hate to jeopardise anything! (Hands off midwife hands off ).

the hen that has the egg that has the little hole (that's a "pip"), that one should hatch fully within 24 hours of breaking the shell.

Cool so fingers crossed we have least one early afternoon tomorrow!

If you are giving fresh eggs, they need to go to a different broody

The fresh eggs are for Mabel my Sussex who has been broody nearly a week (broody 3 - I have 3 weeks old chicks, and these ones with the 2 silkies). I was thinking chicks if everything goes horribly wrong and none of these eggs make it but I'm sure I couldn't be that unlucky!!

 

[WVduckchick]

I didn't mean to worry you about touching them. This time of year won't bother anything. I try to mess with them less during very cold periods.

I hope you find the right eggs for Mabel. I have been swapping around eggs and chicks, trying to make sure that each broody gets a few to raise. Musical chicklets.

Hope to see a little chick hatch soon!

 

[bobbi-j]

The chicks will "zip" the fat end of the egg off. It rotates and breaks the shell, a little at a time.
Here's a freshly hatched one. Feel around for empty shells under the hens, but don't raise their bodies any more than necessary. They are regulating temperature and humidity to be perfect for hatching.
View attachment 1410563

As for getting other eggs and chicks.... the hen that has the egg that has the little hole (that's a "pip"), that one should hatch fully within 24 hours of breaking the shell. You could try giving freshly hatched chicks to her, but she may or may not accept them. If you are giving fresh eggs, they need to go to a different broody, as the one hatching chicks now will not stay on them long enough to hatch. Once any possible ones hatch under her, she will get off any other eggs to teach the little ones how to eat, drink, forage.. etc.

All of this. ^

 

[PouleChick]

I didn't mean to worry you about touching them. This time of year won't bother anything. I try to mess with them less during very cold periods.

Oh good that makes me feel better!

I hope you find the right eggs for Mabel.

Thank you - I texted the guy back to see what time he is coming home (he is out tomorrow morning) and I wondered if they may lay in the morning and I could go collect early afternoon. Otherwise I'm going tohave to find an option 2 tomorrow fast!

I have been swapping around eggs and chicks, trying to make sure that each broody gets a few to raise. Musical chicklets.

Awww bless - so are some alrady born? Have you got a thread?

Hope to see a little chick hatch soon!

Me too - I'll update in the morning!

What is the longest I can leave a broody before putting eggs under her?

 

[WVduckchick]

Awww bless - so are some alrady born? Have you got a thread

No, I didn't do a thread. I've had broodies going since December this year. I also incubate eggs. I usually sell the ones I hatch, and let the broodies add to my flock, then I sell some as adults. It's a vicious cycle.

Me too - I'll update in the morning!

What is the longest I can leave a broody before putting eggs under her?

I look forward to an update.
Broodies are all different. Some will sit for 5-6 weeks total, I've had them go through 2 sets of eggs. Then some will quit after a week or two. So if she is truly broody, a few extra days isn't going to hurt.

 

[WVduckchick]

Here are a few of mine from just this week!

 

[PouleChick]

awwww bless! Is the black one a BCM?

Just having a coffee before I brave the rain to go out and see if I can see anything! I need a 2nd person to help me lift the roof off (we rebuilt it to far too high quality and it is too heavy for me alone and too heavy for the coop as well really ).

So if she is truly broody, a few extra days isn't going to hurt.

Fabulous that is what I wanted to hear! I'm going to wait and see if the guys Cream Legbars lay later today and go get some before the school run if I can - I'll go anyway I've decided as his marans eggs look a lovely dark colour and the Vorwerks look interesting and I haven't the energy this week with everything going on to try to find another breeder locally!

 

[PouleChick]

One gorgeous fluffy yellow chick spotted (and saved - it had jumped down a gap that I hadn't even noticed between her nest box thing and the wall!). Will go down later to get pics and hopefully spot more chicks!

 

[PouleChick]

Hubby thrilled as we have a 'real' yellow fluffball! I cleared out 3 eggshells, I saw one other pipping and there is definitely a black and yellow chick (Australorp I'm guessing) as well as the yellow though I'm thinking there are 2 yellows. One has leg feathers so that means my last Faverolles egg must have hatched (now just please be a girl!) - one got broken in the first few days, one was the rotten one I removed yesterday. So if I'm right and I've spotted 2 yellows that means I have so far 1 Splash orpington, 1 Faverolles and 1 Australorp. Fingers crossed we get more as the final count!

Not very good first photos but here is first peek!

So nice having a broody who doesn't attack me! Maybe we'll be able to bond a bit better with these chicks (Hermione the warrior silkie hasn't let me near hers - in a month I've never been able to pick them up ). Will update as more arrive!

 

[PouleChick]

Can't work out if that is the same chick and they just moved or it is 2 different ones!