I could use some reassuring advice...

[cheekiechickie]

Okay, I'm on my third "batch" of chickens, and I've always gotten chickens from the supply store... but my new jersey giant went broody with fertile eggs from her and a few other hens, so I thought I'd try to get my chickens the old fashion way. I already have a bachelor party, so I'm not worried about what will hatch... but if they will batch.
The 4 eggs left (a few eggs casualties) are 14 to 18 days I believe. One of the casualties was from today, and it was a dead fluffy chick that appeared with no sign of an egg shell anywhere in the coop... and broody cowering in an opposite corner.
Until now broody and eggs were left housed in flock coop, as broody would allow rest of hens to lay eggs in her nest so she could run out for feed and water. Of course now she is inside in dog kennel while I work on an incubator... just incase... I can't be sure what, or who caused chick to die, or if it hatched to was nearly eaten by egg eater hen... so I'm not 100% that I want to separate eggs from broody, but I want to be prepared.
I thought this could be fun, but now my anxiety is through the roof. What was I thinking?!

 

[townchicks]

What a bummer for you. Who knows what happened to the chick. I've never hatched any chicks, but from what I've read here, it can be a worrisome event either way. Just try to keep an eye on the hen, she's probably as nervous as you if this is her first hatch. She'll probably get the hang of it, but it's good you have the incubator handy. Hopefully, those with experience can help out.

 

[cheekiechickie]

these are two of the four. The smaller egg, I have 2 more that look identical in stage. Is my estimate of 14-18days accurate

 

[Morrigan]

I would be concerned about the fact that other hens are pushing into her nest box. It's possible (but obviously, I'm just speculating here) that your broody and another hen got into a kerfuffle as the egg was hatching, the broody got kicked out and the chick perished. It's also possible the broody was a poor mom, and attacked her chick. That does happen, although very rare.

My first choice would be to move the broody, her nest, and her remaining eggs into a screened off portion of the coop where she can be left in peace to finish her brood. I would do the move at night, and watch her closely, to see if she accepts the new nest location.

If that's not possible, or she freaks out in the new location, you could leave her where she is, but put some type of screen or see-through barricade to keep the other hens out during the morning hours when laying takes place. This only works if your hens are morning layers, however.

Finally, if you can get or make an incubator, then you could move the eggs there, put some fake eggs (golf balls work) under her, and then see if she will adopt the chicks after you hatch them.

Good luck. Letting a broody hatch in the coop can be rewarding, but I find it only works if you have a broody that is good against defending her nest against interloping hens.

 

[cheekiechickie]

Thanks Morrigan, she seems to be doing well in new location. She has been dutifully sitting on her nest all day. I have the incubator up to the right temp, but i havent gotten the right humidity yet. Hopefully it will be ready before midnight.

 

[Morrigan]

Thanks Morrigan, she seems to be doing well in new location. She has been dutifully sitting on her nest all day. I have the incubator up to the right temp, but i havent gotten the right humidity yet. Hopefully it will be ready before midnight.

Oops. Sorry, I missed the part where you moved her into a dog kennel. Good work, and my fingers are crossed that the hatch goes well.

 

[cheekiechickie]

Alright, still no babies this morning, but incubator is all set for temp and humidity. Hatching could begin any day now. Broody seems very content on her nest with feed and water within reach. Should I be switching her feed to chick crumbles so any hatched chicks can eat?

 

[Morrigan]

I would switch to chick feed. If nothing else, brooding is hard on a hen, and she could use the the extra calories.

Does she have space to use the bathroom into kennel?

 

[Nksg75]

View attachment 1508251 View attachment 1508252 these are two of the four. The smaller egg, I have 2 more that look identical in stage. Is my estimate of 14-18days accurate

I am no expert, however I think you are pretty spot on on the time frames from what I can see in the pictures.

 

[Flockandfowl46]

Good job! If all goes as planned you should have chicks any time now