My first broody hen!

[silkie10]

This is my first broody hen.







Her name is Grace O'mally.
she is sitting on 10 eggs but I have one that's an experiment so 11.
The experiment egg is one of the tiny ones that chickens occasionally lay. she's been sitting since the 6th and I just gave her eggs yesterday morning (9th) my friend (chicks are life) is giving me three easter egger bred with a wyndotte and polish mix eggs. Can you guys please give me some broody tips and pointers? I will post some more once they hatch as well.

 

[BantammChick]

How long has your hen been sitting? Put a mark on the eggs you want her to hatch,so if another hen lays in the nest while the broody hen is up,you'll know the difference. Make sure to get the right color of eggs you want,like,if you want Easter egger chicks,leave her green eggs,if you want white leghorn chicks,put white eggs underneath her.And then count the days and mark them on your calendar.........

 

[SeaPolka]

Personally I like to separate my broodies because I've had so many accidents with broken eggs and other hens grabbing freshly hatched chicks. But yes, MARK your eggs, I've seen many forgot to do that. Candle them halfway through to make sure she doesn't have an empty batch and keep an eye out for anyone bothering her or sitting on her nest when she goes for a poop and to refill, you might need to separate her then. Good luck

 

[silkie10]

I just separated her last night but before I had her eggs marked

 

[silkie10]

so you guys think that the experiment egg is a good idea?

 

[silkie10]

How long has your hen been sitting? Put a mark on the eggs you want her to hatch,so if another hen lays in the nest while the broody hen is up,you'll know the difference. Make sure to get the right color of eggs you want,like,if you want Easter egger chicks,leave her green eggs,if you want white leghorn chicks,put white eggs underneath her.And then count the days and mark them on your calendar.........

she has been siting on real eggs for 3 days but she's been sitting all together 5 days

 

[silkie10]

Personally I like to separate my broodies because I've had so many accidents with broken eggs and other hens grabbing freshly hatched chicks. But yes, MARK your eggs, I've seen many forgot to do that. Candle them halfway through to make sure she doesn't have an empty batch and keep an eye out for anyone bothering her or sitting on her nest when she goes for a poop and to refill, you might need to separate her then. Good luck

Thanks

 

[BantammChick]

Experiment egg?

 

[Redhead Rae]

I wouldn't test a tiny egg if your chickens are full sized. If the egg is fertilized, it is unlikely that the chick will survive to hatch or live long after hatch because the egg won't have enough space or enough nutrients to sustain the chick.

 

[Farmgirl47]

Whenever my chickens have had tiny eggs and we'd crack them open in the skillet, I never remember them having yolks.

I have to admit though, I've thought of doing that experiment too, LOL!