I’m not Mother Nature, but..... My journey hatching broody and bator chicks

[ChickenCanoe]

I don't know why but in spite of plans, eggs continue to make their way into incubators here.

 

[Mimi13]

It is fun isn't it? I've been teaching poultry classes for years and I tend to be matter of fact so I probably come across as a cranky old man - which I am. But I'm still here to help.

I really do appreciate your advice and guidance. There is always more than one way to learn.

I don’t know if I could be considered cranky, but I’m definitely blunt to the bone, which can sometimes be hurtful. It just is what it is, I suppose.

 

[Mimi13]

I don't know why but in spite of plans, eggs continue to make their way into incubators here.

Oh dear, yes. My next lesson is learning how to say NO!

Just Say No needs to be my new slogan now that I’ve gotten a taste of this incredible addiction of hatching - either way, broody or bator!

 

[WVduckchick]

So true. One needs to manage their birds as they see fit.
What breed/s do you have that are so broody?
I like having a broody breed but I usually break them about half the time.
Since I'm down to a single extremely rare breed that I'm working on perfecting, I want them to continue their tendency to set but, IMHO if a bird will kill itself by not taking food, water and defecation breaks regularly on her own, I don't want her here to reproduce her kind. Sitting till one dies is a defective genetic trait worse than crooked toes, double yolks or almost any other.
I've had countless setting hens but have only allowed about 50 or so to hatch eggs. I've never had one that wouldn't get off the nest on her own.
Obviously I'm not a chicken pet person.

I have bantam cochins and seramas! Recently got rid of my OEGBs, but they were very broody too, as were my chocolate orpingtons, which I also no longer have. I have a few seramas that sat 2 or 3 times last spring/summer. I have one serama hen that just started sitting this week! I haven’t checked how many eggs she has or if I will let her keep them yet. Really don’t need more chicks in winter.

The verdict is in. I quickly read a few posts, ate my supper, then weathered up to go up to the coop to candle four of the eggs. The only difference this time is I had a bit of confidence in my back pocket, thanks to y’all.

There were four definite clears. I did remove those. Eight did seem a lot for her to cover, but, hey, she was doing it.

Of the remaining eggs two are blue and two are brown. Armed with the confidence from y’all, I took more pictures of the four questionable eggs. Guess what? They ALL have veins, they all have veins!

Egg#7 - Brown Egg/Unknown Pullet (2 pics)
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Egg #3 - Blue Egg/Blk Ameraucana (3 pics)
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Egg #1 - Blue Egg/Blk Ameraucana or CCL (2 pics)
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Egg #6 - Brown Egg/Unknown Pullet (3 pics) This little booger was moving. What I thought earlier as sloshy was actually the embryo moving.
View attachment 1627114 View attachment 1627115 View attachment 1627116

I am beyond ecstatic, as I’m sure everyone was at one time. I am thankful to know that the “sideways” egg is or can be normal for a broody.

There may not be a need to candle the broody’s eggs, but there is definitely a want. With my first it’s a given. And like so many have said, there is no need for the broody to sit on clears or quitters. It would be my luck for one of the quitters to bust. Getting down under the poop board to visit with her wouldn’t be so much fun if that happened.

Thank you all so very much @aart, @casportpony, @WVduckchick and all the others who responded as well. I am in awe of everyone’s knowledge and hope one day I am able to know a quarter of what y’all do.

A couple of those look questionable to me, but if you see movement in them all, it could just be the pic.
Apparently your roosters are still doing their job! Lol

I don't know why but in spite of plans, eggs continue to make their way into incubators here.

I was much better this past year and didn’t run the incubators nearly as much since the girls were handling it.

 

[ChickenCanoe]

Oh dear, yes. My next lesson is learning how to say NO!

Just Say No needs to be my new slogan now that I’ve gotten a taste of this incredible addiction of hatching - either way, broody or bator!

Sneaking eggs into the incubator is after I wrestle them away from my wife for cooking. She always says, "do we really need more chickens?"
Everyone here knows the answer to that.

 

[Mimi13]

Alrighty, I am back with new candling pictures. I candled again last night, but just now have gotten the time to post them. I sometimes wonder why everyone else’s life always has to interfere with mine. <eye roll>

So my broody’s four little eggs are really a kickin around in there at 11 days. I want to just sit there and watch them, but I know I can’t do that. I have also been marking the air cell and will take pictures of that on my last candling before lockdown. I know this isn’t required and even frowned upon by some, but I’m just doing all of this for my own documentation. Kind of like taking notes in those dreaded history classes, only I love this! From everything I can tell these little booger’s look great, but just so you know, I’m not counting my chickens before they hatch.

Beautiful veining.

The little dark clump that wouldn’t stay still.

Beautiful veining and overall neat picture of what I don’t know, but it reminded me of seeing my son’s leg run across my belly when I was pregnant.

Another very mobile dark blob, and veining.

Then tonight I let my broody out for the second time today. I had to hurry her along this morning and felt like I didn’t give her enough time. So here we are out in the run, all by ourselves. She goes from one feeder to the next and then back again.

I have one concern about the broody that I have not found an answer to yet. I feel so sorry for the little, skinny girl, even though she’s getting along just fine and being guided by Mother Nature, after all...but, would it be fine to give her a drop or two of Nutri Drench? Or would that be detrimental to her? I don’t want to overstep my human tendencies.

Thank you for your much needed advice!

 

[WVduckchick]

Looking good! Momma is a beauty!!

My opinion is Nutridrench probably isn’t necessary, but if it makes you feel better to give her some, I certainly don’t think it would do any harm. Maybe someone else has other info or advice, but that’s my 2 cents.

 

[Mimi13]

Looking good! Momma is a beauty!!

My opinion is Nutridrench probably isn’t necessary, but if it makes you feel better to give her some, I certainly don’t think it would do any harm. Maybe someone else has other info or advice, but that’s my 2 cents.

Thank you for the compliment on Miss Molly Marans. We have really bonded over these past couple of weeks. She is a really determined sweetie!

I figured I was worrying about nothing.

 

[TashaFrancois]

Just make sure to dilute it. Pure essential oils like basil can burn human skin in its pure form. I read that some people bring the food and water to the hens when they seem to be overwhelmed. She sounds like a dedicated Mama!

 

[Mimi13]

Just make sure to dilute it.

Nutri Drench is not an essential oil and to my knowledge does not need diluting. AAMOF I have given it straight to day old chicks.