I bought a broody mama and she has 7 eggs!

[NatJ]

Oh ok, good to know!

When chickens first meet each other, they have to sort out the pecking order (who is allowed to peck who, and which one has to move out of the way.)

They do this by chasing each other around, ruffling up their feathers to look bigger, staring at each other, and sometimes by actual fighting.

All of this is distracting to a hen that is supposed to be sitting on eggs, and eggs or chicks can get stepped on and squished.

Once the chicks have hatched and are a fews days or a week old, they will be able to run out of the way if they need to.

After the chicks hatch, it would be good if you can arrange to have the other chickens in a pen next to where the mother & chicks are. If they live side-by-side for a week or two, they can all start to know each other through the wire (ruffle up and stare, but no biting or chasing), and will probably settle things much faster and more gently when you actually put them together.

 

[Hannahnic14]

**Update** momma got up at some point yesterday and pooped. She's been transferred to a very large cage (about 3 times the size of the dog crate) in our garage so she can brood in peace. She has plenty of room to get up and move around.

I numbered and candles all 9 eggs. I seen veins and movement in all the eggs except #8. Attaching pictures!

Egg #1

Egg #2

Egg #3

Egg #4

Egg #5

Egg #6

Egg #7 (this one and #9 look especially dark)

Egg #8 Isn't developing, I'll toss this one.

Egg #9 Quite dark like #7

 

[Silkie Princess]

**Update** momma got up at some point yesterday and pooped. She's been transferred to a very large cage (about 3 times the size of the dog crate) in our garage so she can brood in peace. She has plenty of room to get up and move around.

I numbered and candles all 9 eggs. I seen veins and movement in all the eggs except #8. Attaching pictures!

Egg #1

View attachment 2884677

Egg #2
View attachment 2884678

Egg #3
View attachment 2884679

Egg #4
View attachment 2884680

Egg #5
View attachment 2884681

Egg #6
View attachment 2884683

Egg #7 (this one and #9 look especially dark)
View attachment 2884684

Egg #8 Isn't developing, I'll toss this one.
View attachment 2884685

Egg #9 Quite dark like #7
View attachment 2884686

Great! I'm thinking that maybe egg 6 is dead? Just a thought. Leave it under her

 

[Hannahnic14]

Great! I'm thinking that maybe egg 6 is dead? Just a thought. Leave it under her

Yea I was thinking 6 looked kinda funny as well. She should kick them out if they turn bad right?

 

[NatJ]

Yea I was thinking 6 looked kinda funny as well. She should kick them out if they turn bad right?

Some hens do, but I wouldn't count on it.

If you notice a bad smell from that egg, get rid of it.
If she kicks it out, get rid of it.
But otherwise just leave it under her until the next time you candle, and re-evaluate then.

 

[Hannahnic14]

Some hens do, but I wouldn't count on it.

If you notice a bad smell from that egg, get rid of it.
If she kicks it out, get rid of it.
But otherwise just leave it under her until the next time you candle, and re-evaluate then.

When should I recandle?

 

[gimmie birdies]

Some eggs look more developed than others. This happens. remove chicks as they hatch, and brood in house till all have hatched, then at night you can return them.

 

[gimmie birdies]

The darker eggs look like about a day 8.

 

[NatJ]

When should I recandle?

Considering that @gimmie birdies think they look about 8 days along, I might candle again in 6 days and see if they match 14-day egg photos online.

I've read of people who candle every day (usually with incubator eggs, so no danger of upsetting the hen), and I think weekly candling is common, and of course there are some people who do not candle at all, so I don't think there is a single "normal" or "best" way to do it.

 

[Hannahnic14]

Considering that @gimmie birdies think they look about 8 days along, I might candle again in 6 days and see if they match 14-day egg photos online.

I've read of people who candle every day (usually with incubator eggs, so no danger of upsetting the hen), and I think weekly candling is common, and of course there are some people who do not candle at all, so I don't think there is a single "normal" or "best" way to do it.

Ok, I'll candle again in 6 days or so. Thank you! I'm so excited for babies!