Old Fashioned Broody Hen Hatch A Long and Informational Thread

[OHfarmerswife]

It can happen. She's a very large girl who is in a tight space with five eggs under her and others popping in from time to time. So I'm not surprised by the losses. If I had paid money for the eggs or was really caring about hatching, I'd move her to an area where she wouldn't have to compete for space. But I'm not that worried about it. If she hatches the eggs, fine. If she doesn't, then in about 19 more days I will move her out, clean her up, and hopefully break her of sitting.

oh i see!
well i paid for mine. my broody is in her own area.
on day 5 can't wait.
sorry i am new to all this.

 

[puffin311]

I have 4 more day, can hardly wait. I was too nervous to candle after day 10, so I hope no eggs explode on me. The broody is a silkie so hopefully she will be a good mommy. So excited! Who would have ever thought that raising chickens is so addictive. It's like crack.

 

[bobbieschicks]

I have 4 more day, can hardly wait. I was too nervous to candle after day 10, so I hope no eggs explode on me. The broody is a silkie so hopefully she will be a good mommy. So excited! Who would have ever thought that raising chickens is so addictive. It's like crack.

My silky Topsy was a great momma, I'm still missing her. I'm glad she's with a good family now, but I miss her cluck cluck in the coop.

 

[puffin311]

My silky Topsy was a great momma, I'm still missing her. I'm glad she's with a good family now, but I miss her cluck cluck in the coop.

Sorry you had to give Topsy away, silkies are so cute but they just seem to always get bullied.

 

[gg706]

When do the eggs burst? My broody has been sitting for quite awhile, seems like they should hatch next week. I tried candling at 7 days and again at about 10 days...I couldn't make heads or tails of it so I just put the eggs back and left them alone. So if they haven't burst yet should I assume they are all alive and will hatch?

 

[FirewifeJess]

My broody mama laid her first egg since going broody! She sat for 4 weeks, and has had her chicks for 6 weeks. 10 weeks without her beautiful brown egg was a bummer!

 

[bobbieschicks]

When do the eggs burst? My broody has been sitting for quite awhile, seems like they should hatch next week. I tried candling at 7 days and again at about 10 days...I couldn't make heads or tails of it so I just put the eggs back and left them alone. So if they haven't burst yet should I assume they are all alive and will hatch?

They will burst if they get cracked or are rotten inside. You'll know if that happens. You can clean it up gently if it happens, just don't wash off the eggs. I've had yolk covered eggs hatch. I usually assume they will hatch if they haven't cracked, smelled bad, or were clear on day 7.

 

[bobbieschicks]

My broody mama laid her first egg since going broody! She sat for 4 weeks, and has had her chicks for 6 weeks. 10 weeks without her beautiful brown egg was a bummer!

Yeah! It's always a great celebration once they start laying again.

 

[OHfarmerswife]

They will burst if they get cracked or are rotten inside. You'll know if that happens. You can clean it up gently if it happens, just don't wash off the eggs. I've had yolk covered eggs hatch. I usually assume they will hatch if they haven't cracked, smelled bad, or were clear on day 7.

Won't the hen kick out any bad eggs?

 

[gg706]

Thank You bobbieschicks for the info. I have heard the hen will kick out bad eggs. My brooder box has a small board across the front to keep the straw inside. So I am not sure that she could get rid of any bad eggs. All of the eggs look normal and I have not smelled anything nasty...so I am going to assume that they are doing well. I am afraid to handle the eggs and damage them. They are due to hatch on Monday if my timing is correct! I cant wait!!!!!