Old Fashioned Broody Hen Hatch A Long and Informational Thread

[Johnn]

Not looking promising, so far orpy isn't going to be mama

 

[Johnn]

Not getting them tonight , I am possibly getting them tomorrow if the Orpington is still broody...

 

[OHfarmerswife]

The hatch came a day early!

 

[Johnn]

Yay!, so far I will be getting them tomorrow night. I will actually kill her if she rejects them after everything I have done to get them!

 

[Johnn]

The hatch came a day early!

 

[Johnn]

Will getting the egg shells from the chicks make it more believable for her?

 

[Malissa]

Something went awry and not sure what happened. I have 2 eggs under a broody that are 20 days today. (Added 4 this past Tuesday). Came home today and saw some yolk/bloodiness in front of the hen in the wood chips. reached under to push her up and saw a chick. It was dead. The egg it came out of was all crushed under the hen and the chick was to the side closer to her wing. It was still wet. There had been no pips yesterday when I check the 2 eggs that are due to hatch. The other egg is also currently showing no signs of pipping and I did see movement in the one that is yet to hatch when I candled. We are sad she lost the first chick, but if something went wrong would like to prevent if possible. Do you think the mama did something to the chick or egg? This is her very first clutch. Do I need to worry about the second egg? I was planning on taking these first 2 into the brooder if they survive so she will still sit on the eggs I started this week. Hope #2 makes it! Was glad to see the fully form chick, even though it didn't make it. That was pretty awesome!

 

[bobbieschicks]

Will getting the egg shells from the chicks make it more believable for her?

You don't need the shells. Post picks once the babies and momma are bonded. Be sure to cover the chick with your hand as you scoot them under momma. That way if she pecks, she gets your hand and not the chick's head. I just lifted Bunny a little and solved them under her one by one. She would shift a little and cluck cluck cluck.

 

[bobbieschicks]

Something went awry and not sure what happened.  I have 2 eggs under a broody that are 20 days today.  (Added 4 this past Tuesday).  Came home today and saw some yolk/bloodiness in front of the hen in the wood chips.  reached under to push her up and saw a chick.  It was dead.  The egg it came out of was all crushed under the hen and the chick was to the side closer to her wing.  It was still wet.  There had been no pips yesterday when I check the 2 eggs that are due to hatch.  The other egg is also currently showing no signs of pipping and I did see movement in the one that is yet to hatch when I candled.  We are sad she lost the first chick, but if something went wrong would like to prevent if possible.  Do you think the mama did something to the chick or egg?  This is her very first clutch.  Do I need to worry about the second egg?  I was planning on taking these first 2 into the brooder if they survive so she will still sit on the eggs I started this week.  Hope #2 makes it!  Was glad to see the fully form chick, even though it didn't make it.  That was pretty awesome! 

It's possible the chick just didn't make it and the mom had nothing to do with that. It's also possible the mom knew the chick would not make it and took care of the situation herself. She's probably not talking so you may never know. But you can candle that remaining egg to see if it is still viable. But I would just leave it alone until a couple of days has passed before candling. Too much handling at hatch time is not good for the egg and chick.

 

[bobbieschicks]

Yay!, so far I will be getting them tomorrow night. I will actually kill her if she rejects them after everything I have done to get them!

I'm sure it will work out. They want to be mommas so badly. Bunny is a great surrogate and she's teaching the girls very well. They were all up under her again tonight. So she's already got them hopping down from the coop and walking back up the ramp inside at night. Smart girl.