My hens are broody, but they won't let me touch the eggs.

[NNYchick]

Aart is right you have to lift her daily to check for eggs others hens laid that day and the broody hoarded for her own, if you have not checked under her in 2 weeks you are going to have a surprise of a bunch of eggs. I just scoop my hand under the broody breast and lift her they grumble and peck a little but mine have never been vicious about more talk than bite. Once you do it a couple times they get use to it. With my silkies especially I take them over to the food and water if I don't feel anything in their crop, they will neglect them selves.
I leave my broody in the nest and don't move them out of the flock. I have some broodies share the chicks but If is the first hatch and you do not know how the broody or the rest of the flock will be with chicks I would set up a dog crate in the coop for the broody and her chick and move her when the chicks hatch. A couple of my broody have done better being separated and it usually is the first week them they are pacing and want to bring the chicks into the flock.

 

[Cait Jones]

Thank you!

 

[kissezmychicken]

I never candle eggs that are be ing hatched naturally. Hens know what they are doing..mine kick bad eggs out of her best anyway. I've let my hand hatch their eggs wherever they want. After 20 years I've never had a chick hurt or killed. The flock pay no attention to them..They act as if it's just a part of life..after 20 years..It's not luck. I let them be chickens. Not kidding..never ever have I had issues. My mom's are very protective and good moms. They let me handle the babies too..I have marans, silkie, polish and naked necks. separate roosters for breeding. I put the hens with the appropriate roos for a couple weeks, then collect the eggs I want hatched. Either give them to whoever is broody, usually silkie or marans or incubate. I seem to always have a bloody hen..

 

[Cait Jones]

I had two chicks hatch yesterday morning and one was too weak and didn't make it, but the other is strong and very cute. I am now starting to think that the other eggs aren't going to hatch but I at least have one little chick! Thank y'all for your help!

 

[chickens really]

Seriously I just grab them and toss then to the side to get them walking around and Candle eggs or check for dirty bedding. Definitely it's easy if you just matter of fact move the cranky birds...

 

[Joev1973]

I put 9 eggs in the incubator 21 days ago for my first time ever. Colored eggs so candling dont show much. Left it alone never tried to candle again. Hatched 3 today 2 more poking beaks out & all the rest i can hear the chicks inside. Good possibility tommorow i will wake up to find 100% hatch rate. Again the eggs that dont have holes yet in them i can hear the birds inside so we shall see. Let mama be mama & good luck

 

[50-45-1]

I had two chicks hatch yesterday morning and one was too weak and didn't make it, but the other is strong and very cute. I am now starting to think that the other eggs aren't going to hatch but I at least have one little chick! Thank y'all for your help!

it sounds like your broodies were in a coop with the other hens. If you were not marking your hatching eggs and removing freshly laid eggs from the hatch, you have what is called stagered batch. Meaning eggs hatching on diffrent days. The remaing eggs may indeed hatch if given enough time.
If you have an incubator or more broody hens to place the remainings under you may still get more chicks.

 

[Cait Jones]

We have three little chicks now and they are all doing well - I will try to get pictures soon! ☺