Moving eggs from broody hen to another

[bainjanl]

I have a broody hen that has been sitting for 2 weeks (there were 3 eggs when she started). I had fenced her off to keep other hens from climbing in and laying more eggs. I checked under her and now there are 14 eggs. Last time this happened most of the chicks got crushed. I now have another hen that just went broody. Can I move half of the 14 eggs under the new broody hen? Or will this confuse her if they hatch in a week? Or should I pick up some of the eggs and put them in a incubator.

 

[LaFleche]

I have a broody hen that has been sitting for 2 weeks (there were 3 eggs when she started). I had fenced her off to keep other hens from climbing in and laying more eggs. I checked under her and now there are 14 eggs. Last time this happened most of the chicks got crushed. I now have another hen that just went broody. Can I move half of the 14 eggs under the new broody hen? Or will this confuse her if they hatch in a week? Or should I pick up some of the eggs and put them in a incubator.

When she gets off the nest you can candle the 14 eggs and then leave the well developed ones with the first broody and give the ones in earlier development to the second broody.

Here is how to determine the stage of development:

https://www.backyardchickens.com/forum/viewtopic.php?id=261876

 

[bainjanl]

When she gets off the nest you can candle the 14 eggs and then leave the well developed ones with the first broody and give the ones in earlier development to the second broody.

Here is how to determine the stage of development:

https://www.backyardchickens.com/forum/viewtopic.php?id=261876

Unfortunately she is in our garage and we never catch her off the nest. We did candle the eggs (waited until late at night) and they look like the pictures for Day 10, 11 and 12. We believe they will hatch within a few days. Last year we had several hens that were sitting on large number of eggs. Most of the chicks got crushed because of the large number of eggs. Just trying to stop that from happening again.

 

[fluffycrow]

Sounds like you’re in for quite the staggered hatch. Those generally don’t go well. You’ve got about 11 eggs that were laid by one or more hens getting into the broody nest in a span of two weeks. Those 11 eggs are all in different stages of development.

For now, I’d focus on the original 3 eggs. Broodies tend to leave the nest when the first chicks to hatch are getting more active, and in need of food and water. While one can’t say for sure, I’d expect the first broody to do the same.

This forum has taught me a lot of things, one of which is that candling under a broody hen is to be avoided. I feel like this is one of those instances where candling is unavoidable. Much like LaFleche has recommended, I’d give the more developed eggs (the first 3, especially) to the first broody, who has been sitting the longest. The less developed eggs can be given to the new broody.

Depending on how far apart those 11 eggs have been laid, you might still run into some problems. A reduced brooding period can be a problem for some hens, while others take to the chicks well. We don’t know how your broody will react. Most hens are ok with chicks by the second week, but the first week might be pushing it for some. You won’t know where your hen stands until the chicks hatch, unfortunately.

After candling, I’d mark each egg. That way, you’ll know which eggs have been brooded for long, and which are new. Seeing as you’ve got one more week until the first chicks hatch (and possibly more), whoever’s been adding to the nest will continue to do so. I’d remove the new eggs every day or so

 

[Ridgerunner]

Unfortunately she is in our garage and we never catch her off the nest.

Once they are committed to really being broody you can remove her from the nest every day after the others have laid and check for new eggs. Just pick her up and set her on the floor. I usually just reach under her and raise her up so I can see all of the eggs. If you are worried about her pecking you wear long sleeves and gloves.

Mark all of the eggs you want her to have so you can tell at a glance which ones belong.

You can try candling and giving the new eggs to the second broody if you wish. It is what I'd try. Another alternative is to leave any eggs you aren't sure of under the first broody until she hatches her eggs and takes the chicks off of the nest. Then move any unhatched eggs under the second broody. I don't like that as the eggs might get dirty when the first hatch. You do not have to be there immediately when she brings her chicks off of the nest, you have some time.

Will the second hen accept the chicks if they hatch in less than 3 weeks? Some hens will not accept the chicks if they take longer than 3 weeks to hatch but the vast majority of mine would accept chicks that hatch quicker. You do not get guarantees with living animals, you never know for sure what will actually happen, but I'd take the chance and expect success.