Need advice quick!

[Jloeffler]

I have three eggs ready to go into lockdown today and I have a hen who just decided to go broody 2 days ago. She is sitting on one egg only. Can I, or better yet should I, put my three under her and let them hatch? Or at this points it best to leave them where they are? Thanks in advance for any help on this topic!

 

[buildingmyark]

Leave them where they are if you want them to hatch. Your broody may be too unpredictable.

 

[Jloeffler]

Thank you! That's sort of what I was thinking! But I am a newbie and appreciate advice before jumping on the bandwagon!

 

[pgpoultry]

It may/probably will work, but there are a few issues.
Is she committed to being broody? During the early stages some hens decide to quit.
Would it be better to hatch them on the incubator and then slip them under her wing?
I'd probably chance giving her the eggs, but I know some folk wouldn't agree.

 

[Jloeffler]

Pgpoultry - u just voiced all my concerns! Those are the things I've been considering. She has not shown any sign of being interested in going broody and I originally removed the egg from beneath her and she kicked up a storm! She wentbaround the run calling non stop and the roo went right to her but she wouldn't let him help. Finally, since she had never behaved this way, I put the egg back in the nest and her too. She went out to eat, for 20 min straight!, and then went right back to sitting!

Another question, why is she sitting on just one egg? Yesterday was her first day back laying after a day off. She would normally lay five more days. So whynsit now on this one egg?

 

[pgpoultry]

If a hen has gone broody she will sit on one egg, no eggs, stones, etc....there is no logic whatever. a hormonal change triggers broodiness....and the hen behaves in a truly hormonal fashion!

 

[mandy1252]

Hi can anyone on here tell me if a duck egg is alive by floating in water? I had one hatch on monday and two eggs left that are showing no signs of hatching, i am assuming they are dead but want some advice please. The eggs are under my broody chicken. thanks

 

[TinyChickenLady]

You can try a float test. Make sure the water is between 100 and 105 degrees. Let the water settle til it's still. Then put the egg in. If it sinks, it's a dud. If it floats, there's a baby in there. If you see the water ripple, then yay!! Put it back and wait for it to hatch. I've also noticed that there can be a baby in there but it won't necessarily hatch so this isn't a fool proof plan but it's worth a shot. Hope it helps. Good luck!

 

[gumpsgirl]

I would personally let them hatch out in the incubator and if you'd like to see if your hen will raise them, try popping them in underneath her after they hatch. Just be sure she is good and brood before trying that one.

 

[mandy1252]

I have looked at the eggs and one of them looks like liquid inside i can see the liquid moving when i move the egg, i take it this one has died?