Old Fashioned Broody Hen Hatch A Long and Informational Thread

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puffin311 said:


Do you guys think one of the chicks hatched early on day 20? This morning I saw half and empty shell next to the broody. I don't see a baby chick and I'm too afraid to move the broody. She makes all sorts of disgruntled noises when I get near.
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The first sign that I had of a hatch was an empty halved egg shell lying beside the hen's tail. Yes you have a little one hatched and it is under the hen keeping warm and possibly even drying itself off. It will make its appearance when it is ready.

Congratulations!
 
I'm so glad I found this thread, although now I wish I'd found it earlier. My weird dark Cornish cross (don't ask, I have no idea) is sitting on eggs and I didn't think to mark the original group. As hens lay in adjoining nest boxes, she's gathering THOSE eggs as well. She's now sitting on so many that some keep popping out. I'm going to candle and remove any that look... dubious to increase her chances.

I have NO IDEA when or if these eggs will hatch. Here's hoping they don't all rot and stink up the coop. If they DO hatch, they will all be some sort of BrownRed OEG bantam mix. I have NO IDEA what they will look like. My single tiny roo fertilizes all the "big girls" and the crosses could be with sussex, wyandotte, modern game, or whatever the heck this Cornish cross thing is.

You've all provided me with a ton of great information already. *fingers crossed*

 
Bunny is down to 2 of her eggs now. We are on Day 8 right now.

Apparently AC had gotten into the nest, bumped her out and then laid an egg with a thin shell that broke open. Also one of Bunny's eggs was broken to bits. I won't be surprized if all of her eggs end up that way because she is absolutely covered in egg yolk! I tried to wash her off - but she's still pretty yellow. I don't want to get her too washed down because our weather is still pretty cold (40Fs today moving into 30Fs tonight). So most likely the two remaining eggs will become duds or contaminated due to too much yolk on them. Time will tell.
 
bobbieschicks said:
xs2!
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R2elk said:
The first sign that I had of a hatch was an empty halved egg shell lying beside the hen's tail. Yes you have a little one hatched and it is under the hen keeping warm and possibly even drying itself off. It will make its appearance when it is ready.

Congratulations!
Click to expand...
ya.gif
Chickens are such amazing animals. The eggs had all been in the fridge before I decide to throw them under the broody. I can't wait to see how many hatched and what they will grow up into.
 
bobbieschicks said:
Bunny is down to 2 of her eggs now. We are on Day 8 right now.

Apparently AC had gotten into the nest, bumped her out and then laid an egg with a thin shell that broke open. Also one of Bunny's eggs was broken to bits. I won't be surprized if all of her eggs end up that way because she is absolutely covered in egg yolk! I tried to wash her off - but she's still pretty yellow. I don't want to get her too washed down because our weather is still pretty cold (40Fs today moving into 30Fs tonight). So most likely the two remaining eggs will become duds or contaminated due to too much yolk on them. Time will tell.
Click to expand...
Hope the 2 remaining ones make it.
 
I went to change her water and food to chick starter and 4 little fuzzy heads popped up.
wee.gif
Can't believe so many hatched on day 20. Am I counting wrong? I set the eggs on 3/1/13 at 6pm. Isn't today day 20?
 

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