I got a pip under the broody!

[LTygress]

Went back to check on my chickens again (I spend MOST of my off-days checking on them) and noticed one broody was off of her nest (taking a dust bath in the food bin of all places...).

Her eggs are due to hatch today, but many of them may not make it because she abandoned the nest for two days to sit on another nest. So at the very least, I expected another day or two of waiting.

But since she happened to be off the nest taking her break, I took the chance to check on all of her eggs, and one of them has a pip! The others are all holding their warmth, so I'm sure I'll see more in the next day or so. I'm just so excited that my first broody hen has successfully incubated these 9 eggs to hatch! Granted, they aren't actually HER eggs, and had already been in the incubator for a week before they went under her. But she's turning out to be a great broody so far! If it carries over post-hatch, I'm good to go!

 

[sumi]

That's wonderful. Fingers crossed the hatch goes well!

 

[Ms Steak]

I can't wait for pics!

 

[LTygress]

I'm about to go out right now to check on her with camera in hand! I have gotten bold about checking the eggs under them lately, after finding that snake in a nest a couple of days ago. I'll lift the hen completely up (pecking and all) to check on the eggs, or even remove her from the nest to see them. So I'll probably get some type of pic if it has hatched at all.

 

[LTygress]

*SHRIEKS* I HAVE A HATCH! It's a little brownish-black chick! And upon lifting her up, SEVEN others have pipped! OH I'M SO EXCITED NOW!

I can't wait until the frizzle polish, buff polish, and white silkies hatch next weekend! None of my sitting hens are silkies, so it's going to be VERY interesting to see what happens next year if all of these are successful!

 

[sumi]

Awww, congrats!

 

[LTygress]

Went outside to find another one at the zip stage. I stayed around long enough for it to push itself out of the egg. He's barely under her wing, but it is so warm outside right now, I'm not worried.

He turned out to be another dark colored one. Still wet so I can't see the colors very well. I just know he's dark.

 

[Ms Steak]

*SHRIEKS* I HAVE A HATCH! It's a little brownish-black chick! And upon lifting her up, SEVEN others have pipped! OH I'M SO EXCITED NOW!

I can't wait until the frizzle polish, buff polish, and white silkies hatch next weekend! None of my sitting hens are silkies, so it's going to be VERY interesting to see what happens next year if all of these are successful!

Beautifui!!!!

 

[sumi]

Congrats, again! Can't wait to see all the chicks.

 

[LTygress]

100% hatch-rate with 12 little bundles of joy! The only egg she had that did not hatch, was an unmarked one that was apparently snuck in there during one of her breaks from the nest. I moved it under one of the other hens, since they still have a week to go before hatch.

But all 12 eggs that I placed under her have hatched, and she isn't pecking at the chicks - just touching them with her nose like an eskimo kiss!

I decided not to take anymore photos, since I have to lift her completely out of the nest to check on them, and keep her out to take photos. But I made sure everyone is okay, and I'm going to leave her alone now until she is ready to lead them out of the nest. I'll be waiting with the camera when she does, though!

Three more hens left to hatch theirs out though, and all of them due next weekend!