Is it normal for broody hens to switch nests?

[oldhenlikesdogs]

Many times they are. I would candle them to see.

 

[aart]

I guess they are bad eggs?

Open em up and see?

 

[Toothpick]

I already tossed them. I’ve never candled an egg. No clue what I’m looking for. Plus, I don’t have any candles.

The other day I found one that was cracked so I tossed it in the pasture and it had a very underdeveloped chick in it. Should get a few hatching.

 

[aart]

Plus, I don’t have any candles.

We use flashlights these days

 

[Toothpick]

We use flashlights these days

Lol

What am I looking for?

 

[aart]

Lol

What am I looking for?

Veins, feet, beak.
Do a search for candling....or....

 

[Toothpick]

Holy moly! I had no idea you could see all that. I’ve never looked at an egg through a candle or flashlight. Dadgum.

 

[aart]

Holy moly! I had no idea you could see all that. I’ve never looked at an egg through a candle or flashlight. Dadgum.

Well, keep in mind the best candling pics online are probably white bantam eggs, very easy to see a lot.
Your eggs may vary....and it takes some practice.
Very bright light in a very dark room works best.
Darker brown eggs are tougher, blue and green eggs can be impossible.
Some of the eggs I've hatched I could hardly see the air cell.

 

[Toothpick]

Thanks for the tips. I’ll probably be hatching via incubator next year. My chicks will be getting older so I’ll need to be thinking about replacement layers.

I’m pretty sure the sitting hens will hatch some eggs but just a few I’m betting.

 

[aart]

I’m pretty sure the sitting hens will hatch some eggs but just a few I’m betting.

Hopefully none explode....another good reason to candle both before and during incubation, even under a broody, is to look for cracks and bacterial growth.