Old Fashioned Broody Hen Hatch A Long and Informational Thread

[Candyman]

I have some eggs in my home made incubator and some under a broody, both set the same day (November 22nd).
I candled the ones in my incubator at day 7 and they were moving and veins visible, but I just candled the ones beneath my hen and those looked a lot different

no veins visible, or anything moving, but there is some mass inside, apart from some infertile and one blood ring one which I could tell. My incubator is maintained at a constant 100 F, maybe then hens temperature is a little lower that is why they have a slow metabolism?? Any one having any ideas or experience please share... I am stressed!!!

 

[bobbieschicks]

I have some eggs in my home made incubator and some under a broody, both set the same day (November 22nd).
I candled the ones in my incubator at day 7 and they were moving and veins visible, but I just candled the ones beneath my hen and those looked a lot different

no veins visible, or anything moving, but there is some mass inside, apart from some infertile and one blood ring one which I could tell. My incubator is maintained at a constant 100 F, maybe then hens temperature is a little lower that is why they have a slow metabolism?? Any one having any ideas or experience please share... I am stressed!!!

I've candled my broody's eggs and saw little or no development by Day 7, but then on Day 21-25 I'd get chicks. I would give it another week and check again if you want to candle them. Last brood I candled on day 7 and couldn't see a thing (light tan silkie eggs) but out of 5 eggs - one was bad (she crushed it about Day 14) and the other 4 eventually hatched on Day 22 into the cutest little silkie chicks.

Outside weather can factor in - if it's very cold outside the development can slow down. I wouldn't stress too much about not seeing development the same as in the incubator. They will probably still hatch within a few days of each other. The bonus will be her taking care of the chicks after they hatch.

 

[Miss Lydia]

The buff Brahma is standard size, such a sweet girl. Very affectionate so she will hopefully be a good mama

I have lots of breeds because most are adopted and rescued. I have only bought the mixed breed chicks

have lots of ee /oe mixed breed hens. Love them! I'm addicted. LOL

I looked at your pics but couldn't tell if you have any batams, bantams are great broodys and mamas. None of my hatchery Brahmas ever went broody hope yours will.

 

[Candyman]

I've candled my broody's eggs and saw little or no development by Day 7, but then on Day 21-25 I'd get chicks. I would give it another week and check again if you want to candle them. Last brood I candled on day 7 and couldn't see a thing (light tan silkie eggs) but out of 5 eggs - one was bad (she crushed it about Day 14) and the other 4 eventually hatched on Day 22 into the cutest little silkie chicks.

Outside weather can factor in - if it's very cold outside the development can slow down. I wouldn't stress too much about not seeing development the same as in the incubator. They will probably still hatch within a few days of each other. The bonus will be her taking care of the chicks after they hatch.

I Salute you!!!

That is very good to hear....
I have plans to give my incubator chick to her too

 

[bobbieschicks]

I Salute you!!!

That is very good to hear....
I have plans to give my incubator chick to her too

That's what I did over the summer with a batch of shipped eggs - gave half to the broody and had half in the bator. Turned out the bator humidity was off so those all died but her eggs were fine and she hatched out 2 Wellies and 1 AM for me. Of course they all turned out to be cockerels - lol!

 

[cluckcluckluke]

That's what I did over the summer with a batch of shipped eggs - gave half to the broody and had half in the bator. Turned out the bator humidity was off so those all died but her eggs were fine and she hatched out 2 Wellies and 1 AM for me. Of course they all turned out to be cockerels - lol!

Ahh... the way of nature ahahah, i bet my one chick that i have is going to be a rooster, would have to have some good luck for it not to be.

 

[Johnn]

whats the least amount of eggs you guys have given you broodys to sit on??

 

[Chick_In_The_Burbs]

I would never go less than 3 and 4 would be preferable. Just in case one egg is a dud, at least the chick will have a buddy.

 

[Miss Lydia]

The least was 2 but I agree 3 is better. the reasoning is one of my hens hatched 3 chicks at week 2 one drowned in the ducks water bucket, but at least that left 2 chicks so one wasn't without a buddy.

 

[Candyman]

bobbieschicks "Of course they all turned out to be cockerels", why do you say of course?? Does the maximum under the broody turn out to be cockerels??

Johnn I slipped 11 under her, she is gonna go through lot of stress in 21 days, so why not reward her with many babies