Old Fashioned Broody Hen Hatch A Long and Informational Thread

[ochochicas]

More dilemmas! After putting a dozen eggs under my first time broody, I realized she shouldn't have that many. I planned to candle them later this week and toss any that didn't look like they were developing. She has been a very good broody so far (1 year old black copper Marans). I have an 3 year old black Australorp who started acting strangely a few days ago. Now she is broody, too! I'm pretty sure she has never hatch eggs since I got her from the city and they couldn't have roosters there.

I candled the eggs this morning. Eleven of the 12 seem to be more developed than they should be. There was only one that was questionable, but when I candled it again it looked fine. They are Marans and Welsummer eggs, so not the easiest to see with my untrained eye. Now I have questions!

1. On most of the eggs, the air space seems to be more to the side of the egg instead of the end. Is this OK? This is day 10. According to the pictures I've seen the eggs look more like day 13. They set out for 4 days at 80 degree temps before I got them to put under then hen. I'm expecting that they might hatch early!

2. Is 11 chicks too many for a hen to raise?

3. At this point should I take half the eggs and put them under the other hen? If there are only 11 days left until hatch will she still take care of them?

 

[bobbieschicks]

More dilemmas!  After putting a dozen eggs under my first time broody, I realized she shouldn't have that many.  I planned to candle them later this week and toss any that didn't look like they were developing.  She has been a very good broody so far (1 year old black copper Marans).  I have an 3 year old black Australorp who started acting strangely a few days ago.  Now she is broody, too!  I'm pretty sure she has never hatch eggs since I got her from the city and they couldn't have roosters there.

I candled the eggs this morning.  Eleven of the 12 seem to be more developed than they should be.  There was only one that was questionable, but when I candled it again it looked fine.  They are Marans and Welsummer eggs, so not the easiest to see with my untrained eye.  Now I have questions!

1.  On most of the eggs, the air space seems to be more to the side of the egg instead of the end.   Is this OK?  This is day 10.  According to the pictures I've seen the eggs look more like day 13.  They set out for 4 days at 80 degree temps before I got them to put under then hen.  I'm expecting that they might hatch early!

2.  Is 11 chicks too many for a hen to raise?

3.  At this point should I take half the eggs and put them under the other hen?  If there are only 11 days left until hatch will she still take care of them? 

I would divide up the eggs between the broodies and let them both hatch a batch.

 

[bobbieschicks]

So this is the grand total. 5. I candled the last egg and it wasn't even internally pipped and had no movement. So I pulled the plug. It wasn't moving a few days ago either but I figured I'd just leave it. The veins that you usually see when candling were gone a few days back so I pitched the egg this morning.

When do you think she'll take them outside? They're all fluffed up and ready to go.

Usually by the second day after they are done hatching she will take them out of the nest. I usually put food and water on the floor for the first week. After that she will usually have them outside more then inside.

 

[bobbieschicks]

More chick pics.

 

[chippysmom327]

More chick pics.

Super cute! Their little bums

I put food and water on the floor nearish the nest and figured I'd take momma out to get a drink since she hasn't drank in two days. She drank a LOT. Then 3 babies hopped out of the nest and pecked the sand. Then when mom got back in the nest the couldn't figure out how to get back in so I helped em out. Think she'll take them outside tomorrow?

 

[bobbieschicks]

Super cute! Their little bums

I put food and water on the floor nearish the nest and figured I'd take momma out to get a drink since she hasn't drank in two days. She drank a LOT. Then 3 babies hopped out of the nest and pecked the sand. Then when mom got back in the nest the couldn't figure out how to get back in so I helped em out. Think she'll take them outside tomorrow?

Maybe. Or she will more likely just move to the floor with them. Mine usually spend the first day in the nest. The next day or so on the coop floor. Then the next day outside under the coop & in the grass.

 

[poodlechicks]

Mine were a little different. The chicks left the carrier at around 3 days, but there were still eggs to be hatched, so momma stayed put until I took the remaining eggs from under her.

 

[loobyloo88]

Have my first pip! Hoping the others have made a pip in the mornin :0)

 

[poodlechicks]

Have my first pip! Hoping the others have made a pip in the mornin :0)

So exciting! Good luck on your hatch!

 

[bobbieschicks]

So exciting! Good luck on your hatch!

Xs 2!