Okay, I'm the worst chicken owner EVER!!! PLEASE HELP

[19sarah90]

I put DE in my chickens' coop under their wood chips all the time. Mostly because I keep forgetting to take the water out before I move the coop/tractor and it splashes all over. Yes, DE helps with moisture and smells.

 

[Centaurheart]

I would bathe her in DAWN dish washing liquid. I know as a wildlife professional, we use this on injured/contaminated/oil coated birds all the time - because it cleans their feathers really well, breaks up the 'ick' and is mild enough it won't hurt them. Just rinse her off really really well. I imagine she can have as many baths as it takes until shes not stinky any more.

And don't feel bad! Its human to make mistakes. What makes you a good person is fixing her right up and correcting the mistake! Go you!

 

[KinderKorner]

I had nearly the same thing happen to me lately.

I had two brahms brooding a nest. Well after about a week it started stinking really really bad. I cleaned out the nest, and noticed some eggs were gone. I thought the darn chickens were eating them....

Well after day 23 went by and nothing happened and the smell was unreal. I kicked them off, and cleaned it out. The second I touched the remaining 4 eggs out of 24 pop. They all exploded.

It seems one of the eggs went bad and popped getting yuck on the others ones and causing bacteria to get in there. And one by one the eggs exploded. Poor babies. I candeled them like a week ago and all were living.

I gave the broody crazy birds 3 chicks I hatched. And now they are happy. lol.

So it's up to you. You can take the eggs away, or leave them in there. But I learned my lesson. When there is yuck in the nest, and everyting stinks. Get those eggs out. Blah

 

[shannonb1]

do you think that the eggs are okay? They seemed fine, I guess time will tell......if one more breaks, which I don't think they will they are pretty well formed, the ones I left in there that is. I completely changed the kennel (or nest) and put brand new hay in it. Got rid of EVERYTHING in the old kennel....in fact it's sitting in bleach as we speak. I wanted the bleach to stay in there for at least 24 hours.

Wash with Dawn - Check.

Keep close eye on eggs - Check.

Anything else I'm missing? Oh, I haven't done anything to seperate the chicks that may - or may not be hatched. Alot of people told me the hen will protect them and to not seperate them. Anyone agree with that????????????????????????? I've got the chick starter food (medicated).

I will change kennels once the chicks have hatched. Thank goodness I have 3 golden retrievers that have large kennels , lol.

 

[shannonb1]

Oh one major question I forgot -

How long can the eggs be okay without her sitting on them?????