I noticed my hen doing weird stuff like staying inside the coop alot. She normally is out and about with the rooster and her 8 week old chicks. Heres the thing for a quick winter setup i turned a old rabbit hutch into a coop. I didn't make any doors to get inside. I didnt think my hen would lay anymore so I wasnt worried about eggs. For the past week I noticed her staying inside more then anytime before so I decided to see what was doing on. I liefted up the tarp I have over the cage and peeked inside. To find my hen in the corner all bunched up like she does when she is broody. I called her and threw some food in she never moved. I easily stuck a stick inside and gentally lifted her up with her protesteing to move. Under her this is what I found I counted 11 eggs WOW she has been laying all this time? I didnt even know she was laying. and she has gone broody again is it possible? Should I remove the eggs or let her have a go at it??? Is it possible for the eggs to hatch? We have been already have frezzing temps dropping below the 30s at night here? Plz let me know all info possible! Thank you!
They will be O K. I would just throw an old sleeping bag on the hutch and a trap over that. She will keep the chicks warm.
Ok i was not sure if they could do it or not through winter. So just add some extra stuff to keep the wind out? Here she is all so happy she is loving it..LOL
Everyone is worried for nothing Look at all the other posts on this page and you'll see all the same answers. She will be fine. LOOK at all her fluff!! She's way better than most Chickens have babies anytime of year. The only difference is the peeps will have to stick closer to mom for the first few weeks than they normally would in order to keep warmer. My dad hatches pigeons in January and said he's never had a problem. I've grown up with chickens all my life and now that I have my own, I had the same concern. hahahahahaa But everyone reassured me too. Let's share some cute pics hear in a couple of weeks!!
LOL, Thanks everyone for your information I now know they can do it..LOL...Great I am so excited I thought I was going to have to wait months before I had any more cute little fluff butts but now I am gonna have some in a couple of weeks. I AM SO EXCITED! This makes the 3rd time this hen has gone broody for me since june when I got her. She is a wonderful girl! Oh and yes those are all her eggs..LOL
I'll update with pics when/if these eggs hatch! I don't even know when to count from to see when they will hatch. Wow I'm gonna be checking everyday...LOL
Been 3 days since I found my hen broody with her 11 eggs she is still sitting strong on those babies. I am so excited I can't wait to see if any hatch. I'm not real sure on when she began to sit I didn't even know she was laying again. I started counting as the 25th as day 1 so give or take a day or two. I have counted they should hatch on November the 14th so we shall see.
Good luck! I'm sure she knows what to do! I have an OEG hen that is brooding right now. She is due on Nov. 1st! I hope she hurries up, cause it is getting cold!!!
She's a silkie... I bet you'll have a really good hatch rate. I wish you the best of luck... I'll be checking for updates.
