I need some more help.

[crystallane]

I know I have been asking to many questions. Sorry! I have a broody that was sitting on 4 eggs. A couple of days ago I went to go candle them and and one of them had an end crushed in, so I tossed it. Today she got off the eggs and another one jumped in there to lay an egg, so I went to go get it and noticed one of the eggs has a small crack in it. I know I couldnt save the other one with it being so crushed but can I save this one? They are on day 12.

 

[enola]

You REALLY should separate the broody hen from the other hens in the flock. This would help in keeping the eggs vrom getting broken.....

A small dog crate or cat crate works perfectly for this.

Some people have had success with melting candle wax on the crack, I have never tried it. But, hey, if it works, then all is good !

 

[crystallane]

I know. I just did not have anything. I may ask my mom if I can use hers, I was afraid it was to small. Do I keep her locked in it? If I kept her in it and she got out couldnt the other ones get in there just like they got in the nest box? I have a really big one, but its to big to fit in the coop, I would have to keep her in the house.

 

[enola]

Yes, you lock the door to the crate. Take her out twice a day to eat, drink and poop. She will get used to the routine very quickly !

 

[crystallane]

Thank you. I will try the candle wax and hope it works, and I will move her!

 

[thebritt]

An unused rabbit hutch works great as a brooding house. I put the nest in a small pet carrier inside the hutch. Then the hen can get off the nest to eat and drink and stretch. I've been trying an experiment to hatch hens instead of roosters - I put a piece of polar fleece under the nest so the eggs are extra warm (the girls require about 1 1/2 degrees warmer than roos). The one time I did this with a fresh batch of 3 eggs I got all girls!

 

[crystallane]

Thats neat, I have never heard of that before. Its pretty warm in Florida right now, wonder if that would work.