How not to let a broody hatch chicks.

[Hensndoes]

1 more and another girl!! The hen I used just earned herself a preferred spot for egg hatching.

 

[pallas]

So cute!

 

[Hensndoes]

Well I expected her to leave her eggs weeks ago. I look in the window and ma has kicked her last egg out. It's head and neck were out of the shell and I thought it was dead. Went and got a baggie to remove it and after I put it in I see it's still wiggling. I put it back under her and she walks away. So now I'm frantic. I've steamed up my bathroom as much as I can and made a contraption with a lamp I hate using because of how hot it gets. What a mess. It does look like it's been stepped on or pecked... not sure

 

[Hensndoes]

You know... this is what's killing me. This hen is a serious mama. I trust when she boots an egg there is a reason. Now I am wondering if it got stepped on or if the dry weather etc. and maybe I should just let this chick go. But dammit. I haven't incubated and have no idea how long to wait. I was hoping I could sneak it under her tonight after it gets out of the shell. Not sure how long that takes but from what I've read on google it shouldn't be long. Ugh.

Incase I need to say it again- how not to let a broody hatch!!!!! Separate them and don't let them trade eggs!!!

 

[Hensndoes]

Well there is a reason. I keep going back to check on it. This chicks upper beak broke when it went to hatch. I have to think about what I should do - for the sake of the chick. It's peeping makes it so hard though.

 

[SueT]

oh no...

 

[Morrigan]

Sorry about your little chick with the broken beak. It breaks my heart to say this, but unless you are prepared to separately raise it and give it special care, I think you should cull it.

Your broody is amazing by the way. I've never heard of hens rolling their eggs to the food and water and back again.

 

[Hensndoes]

Sorry about your little chick with the broken beak. It breaks my heart to say this, but unless you are prepared to separately raise it and give it special care, I think you should cull it.

Your broody is amazing by the way. I've never heard of hens rolling their eggs to the food and water and back again.

I did cull it. At first I didn't understand why she rejected it and was so focused on creating a makeshift incubator. Then I went back to have a good look because it's just not like her. That's when I noticed its beak. There was also a peck hole in its neck that I really think it would have recovered from as it looked superficial. I think she carried it away from her nest. I sent myself into frantic MacGyver mode and it was all a waste. Trust broodies.

Notice how it hatched from the fat top of the egg? Is that bad positioning? All the other chicks split their egg in half...

 

[Hensndoes]

Well end the night on a good note. Where's Waldo! There are 4 here.

 

[Morrigan]

View attachment 1522119 Well end the night on a good note. Where's Waldo! There are 4 here.

I love pictures like this. What a good momma hen!