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I try to keep the hens as 'involved' in the flock as possible while they have chicks. We do place them in an area separated by chicken wire for a day or two while they get used to Mama's calls and we make sure their beaks and feet are good. Once we know all is well the mama and chicks are out and about in the yard so she can teach them all she needs to. We do supervise them in the yard to watch for aggressive flock members or sneaky cats. Hens who are bigger or high ranking in the flock are rarely challenged, and even small and low ranked hens turn into 'Attila the Hen' when they have little ones in tow!
Will the Brodie's be off the nest longer and/or more frequently when the weather is HOT? It has been 90F here for the last couple of days. We are on day 12, I tried to candle once, and I was totally confused...
I candle around day 10 or so, but only look for dark on one end and air sac at the other. If an egg looks clear or questionable I leave it (but I do mark it with a ?? mark) and recheck on day 14, then pull any that don't have obvious development. I don't even try to identify beaks or hearts or feet or anything, though I know some folks can see them. If it's dark with an air cell it gets left to the broody.
Hi all,
I'm dealing with my first broody. She's been sitting for about 3 days now so I know she's not quitting. Yesterday I tried to mark the eggs she's sitting on (they are fertile) however she attacked me when I tried to grab one (it was at night too, the only light was a flashlight). What's the best way to mark the eggs so I can remove the fresh ones everyday?
I mark them when hen is off to do her business, even if you have to pull her off the nest to do it once. A simple line drawn the whole way around the center of the egg will allow you to identify them no matter how they are turned in the nest.
