I'm very sad right now. :(

[Duck_life]

Sorry about that clucky, I'm sure dazzle would have made a great momma.

 

[MontanaChickDoc]

Broody hens on eggs is very stressful. I rarely have luck moving them to a "safe haven" so I'm constantly stressing about what is going on and who is going to do something stupid Incubators are so much less stressful...but not as rewarding...there is something about a momma hen strutting proudly with her little family that is just so sweet. I am so sorry about your loss. I've had a number of egg and chick related tragedies and they are all awful. *hugs*

 

[MontanaChickDoc]

Right now I have 3 call duck eggs in an incubator because mom abandoned the nest. She had been "missing" for a few days and it took me awhile to find the nest. To my shock, 3 of the 5 eggs were viable/ developing when I candled. But I guess she didn't approve of me messing about in her nest because she abandoned it after that. I watched her for 24 hours and nope, she was done, she never went back (I know they can leave for a few hours sometimes and it's normal). The eggs were stone cold - we've been having nights in the 40s and daytime temps in the 60s- but I popped them in the incubator anyway. Lo and behold they are still going, I can see the babies kicking around! But I have no idea when they are due...so I don't know when to stop turning them or lock down. And I have no idea where I'm going to put them, either, if they do hatch. My brooder has 3 week old chicks in it already.

 

[cluckmecoop7]

Right now I have 3 call duck eggs in an incubator because mom abandoned the nest. She had been "missing" for a few days and it took me awhile to find the nest. To my shock, 3 of the 5 eggs were viable/ developing when I candled. But I guess she didn't approve of me messing about in her nest because she abandoned it after that. I watched her for 24 hours and nope, she was done, she never went back (I know they can leave for a few hours sometimes and it's normal). The eggs were stone cold - we've been having nights in the 40s and daytime temps in the 60s- but I popped them in the incubator anyway. Lo and behold they are still going, I can see the babies kicking around! But I have no idea when they are due...so I don't know when to stop turning them or lock down. And I have no idea where I'm going to put them, either, if they do hatch. My brooder has 3 week old chicks in it already.

By candling them, can't you tell about what stage they are in? Maybe by posting pictures here on BYC other people could tell you....maybe?

 

[cluckmecoop7]

Sorry about that clucky, I'm sure dazzle would have made a great momma.

Thank you so much.

 

[cluckmecoop7]

Broody hens on eggs is very stressful. I rarely have luck moving them to a "safe haven" so I'm constantly stressing about what is going on and who is going to do something stupid Incubators are so much less stressful...but not as rewarding...there is something about a momma hen strutting proudly with her little family that is just so sweet. I am so sorry about your loss. I've had a number of egg and chick related tragedies and they are all awful. *hugs*

Thank you.

 

[Shezadandy]

Sigh. For the most part we move our broody hens into crates for hatch time.

I've got a couple hens who refuse the crate idea while they're hatching, or if I'm giving them chicks, they wig out and decide to leave it for good. For those instances, I make covers for the front of the nestbox she's in (the only part that is open, everything else is contained) so chicks can't fall out, other hens can't come in.

Not all broody hens make great moms, however dedicated they were to sitting on the eggs themselves, so the biggest risk to the chick becomes the hen. That's why I like to use crates -- so I can have the hen inside and hear what's going on. I include a baby monitor camera when I'm forced to leave them in the coop. Sorry for your loss. Chickens do the unthinkable sometimes.

 

[Ted_Harrell]

Clucky,, so sorry

 

[Birdfriend]

I'm really, really sorry for your loss, Clucky. Hope the little chick's having a great time in chicken heaven... Losing chickens, especially chicks, is always awful. I'm sorry that I can't help, but virtual hugs and empathy all the same

 

[GLoucesterChick]

I'm so sorry