My first hen to sit on eggs was actually very successful! She hatched out 12 of the 15 in the nest in exactly 21 days but when she started sitting, the nest was already full (so they all came at once.) She gave up on the 3 that didn't hatch a couple of days later and got out with her babies and started to teach them to scratch.
But....this second time, I had a hen that wanted to start to sit around June 30 and so I thought I would let her be a mom. There were only 3 in the nest. Well, I went on vacation July 1-4 and had my neighbors come out to let them out in the morning and put up at night so when I returned she was still sitting but then a couple of days later, I noticed another hen up in there with her so I moved her over. I had to do this from time to time and then about four days before due date a hen was in there again but had actually scooted the original hen over and so I picked her up to move her and that's when I realized I had way more eggs in there than I thought (15 again) and no idea when they were all laid.? I knew I had a messed up situation!
I wanted to keep the other hens out (a little too late now) but I put food and water in the nest box and stapled some netting in the front of the nest box. That was another mistake! She got out via the side and I guess she got confused and got in another nest that had about 3 eggs in it. I was in and out of chicken house quite a bit and noticed not too long afterwards I'm sure but long enough for the eggs to drop temp (not real warm) so I thought that messed up the whole batch right then and there but I put her back on the nest. A couple of days later I was going to give up and take the eggs out but there was one that looked cracked on the side (not the bottom) like she had smashed it. I held it in my hand and could feel movement and so I quickly put it back and left her alone again. Later I could hear some peeping sound under her and then saw the little baby and was actually happy for her to have at least one after all that but that was last Wednesday. So it was probably one of the first to be laid.
On Saturday, I transferred her and baby and eggs to dog kennell so she could have more room to move around and leave the door open so she could leave the nest if she wants to. I may have handled the eggs too much but I think that the last egg at the very latest may have been layed around July 12 so one may be due around Aug.2...Should I wait til Sunday? The worst thing that could happen would be that an egg bust right? The chick is still small but it will be 12 days by Sunday but I sure wish it could have a brother or sister. It eats and drinks water already and scratches around the kennell but mamma just sits on the eggs.
Sorry so long of an explanation of the situation....If you read all this, thank you, and if you have any advice thanks again in advance!
But....this second time, I had a hen that wanted to start to sit around June 30 and so I thought I would let her be a mom. There were only 3 in the nest. Well, I went on vacation July 1-4 and had my neighbors come out to let them out in the morning and put up at night so when I returned she was still sitting but then a couple of days later, I noticed another hen up in there with her so I moved her over. I had to do this from time to time and then about four days before due date a hen was in there again but had actually scooted the original hen over and so I picked her up to move her and that's when I realized I had way more eggs in there than I thought (15 again) and no idea when they were all laid.? I knew I had a messed up situation!
I wanted to keep the other hens out (a little too late now) but I put food and water in the nest box and stapled some netting in the front of the nest box. That was another mistake! She got out via the side and I guess she got confused and got in another nest that had about 3 eggs in it. I was in and out of chicken house quite a bit and noticed not too long afterwards I'm sure but long enough for the eggs to drop temp (not real warm) so I thought that messed up the whole batch right then and there but I put her back on the nest. A couple of days later I was going to give up and take the eggs out but there was one that looked cracked on the side (not the bottom) like she had smashed it. I held it in my hand and could feel movement and so I quickly put it back and left her alone again. Later I could hear some peeping sound under her and then saw the little baby and was actually happy for her to have at least one after all that but that was last Wednesday. So it was probably one of the first to be laid.
On Saturday, I transferred her and baby and eggs to dog kennell so she could have more room to move around and leave the door open so she could leave the nest if she wants to. I may have handled the eggs too much but I think that the last egg at the very latest may have been layed around July 12 so one may be due around Aug.2...Should I wait til Sunday? The worst thing that could happen would be that an egg bust right? The chick is still small but it will be 12 days by Sunday but I sure wish it could have a brother or sister. It eats and drinks water already and scratches around the kennell but mamma just sits on the eggs.
Sorry so long of an explanation of the situation....If you read all this, thank you, and if you have any advice thanks again in advance!
