mbphotos09
Songster
I went on a trip for a week and when I came back my polish hen, Pom-Pom, was sitting in her favorite nest box! She's has official been sitting for 5 days and nights so I think it's safe to say she's broody. And boy, is she mean! I had read that broodys were often protective over their eggs but I had no idea! She wouldn't even let me look underneath her to see if she even had any real eggs for 5 days. I finally managed to get underneath her (I thought she was going to rip my arm off!) and she had 1 egg and 2 fake eggs underneath her. I candled the real egg but it was clear... I gave her one more egg that was laid today but I don't know if that one will develop either.
After the first couple of days, I hadn't seen her get up to eat or drink so I put some food and water near her. She is doing good with those and is actually eating now. I assume she is getting up and pooping elsewhere because I don't see poop in the nest box.
Okay now for some 'newbie' question!! Sorry there might be a lot of them!
1. How do I safely look underneath her? She is very aggressive (which isn't her normal behavior lol!) and will puff up and try to attack you if you get near.
2. Will she continue sitting if nothing hatches? Her one egg didn't develop so I don't know if I have any fertilized eggs to give her.
3. How long does fertilization last after the rooster is removed? My rooster died about 2 and a half weeks ago.
4. Can you hatch eggs that have been sitting in the fridge? I know some of the eggs are fertilized that are in there.
5. And finally, it is really hot here (high 90s to the 100s). Is is safe for her to be sitting in the coop? I know that she is drinking at least once a day. Hopefully she is getting more water but I just can't catch her.
Thanks for any advice you all can give!!!
(Huh, weren't Polish chickens supposed to be non-broody? )
After the first couple of days, I hadn't seen her get up to eat or drink so I put some food and water near her. She is doing good with those and is actually eating now. I assume she is getting up and pooping elsewhere because I don't see poop in the nest box.
Okay now for some 'newbie' question!! Sorry there might be a lot of them!
1. How do I safely look underneath her? She is very aggressive (which isn't her normal behavior lol!) and will puff up and try to attack you if you get near.
2. Will she continue sitting if nothing hatches? Her one egg didn't develop so I don't know if I have any fertilized eggs to give her.
3. How long does fertilization last after the rooster is removed? My rooster died about 2 and a half weeks ago.
4. Can you hatch eggs that have been sitting in the fridge? I know some of the eggs are fertilized that are in there.
5. And finally, it is really hot here (high 90s to the 100s). Is is safe for her to be sitting in the coop? I know that she is drinking at least once a day. Hopefully she is getting more water but I just can't catch her.
Thanks for any advice you all can give!!!
(Huh, weren't Polish chickens supposed to be non-broody? )
Last edited: