Old Fashioned Broody Hen Hatch A Long and Informational Thread

[mg15]

Are they white shelled eggs? If you are only seeing darkness and no movement in a white shelled egg I'd say it died in the shell or never developed past a certain stage. How certain are you of your candling skills? I would give them a few more days just in case your timing was off and if nothing happens toss the eggs without opening them. If you're curious you could open them outside - but I don't bother.

They are light brown color.
My candling skills are extreme newbie. I have looked at every picture and video of candling, but still am not sure. But the egg is dark inside.
I then will wait a few days.

QUESTION:
Dottie's first egg that hatched, the chick died in the nite. The symptoms were: Seemed weakish, not pecking to eat, slept ALL the time, would not open eyes very much, wanted to be Dotties feathers and she was very small.
Do you have an idea of what this was ?
I did make "broth" out of the baby feed, and gave her some with a syringe, but I could see she was even to sleepy weak to do that.

Thank you

 

[chickeneer45]

This morning (six hours ago) I checked on my broody. I looked under her very quickly and I saw one chick. I would really like to know if any more have hatched so what I am asking is if it is too soon lift the momma broody hen up to check... I don't want to disturb her, but I'd also like to know if others are hatching. Is it okay for me to lift her now or should I wait longer, and if so, how much longer should I wait? Thanks! An answer soon would be helpful!

 

[OHfarmerswife]

This morning (six hours ago) I checked on my broody. I looked under her very quickly and I saw one chick. I would really like to know if any more have hatched so what I am asking is if it is too soon lift the momma broody hen up to check... I don't want to disturb her, but I'd also like to know if others are hatching. Is it okay for me to lift her now or should I wait longer, and if so, how much longer should I wait? Thanks! An answer soon would be helpful!

I am no expert, but I gently lifted each of my hens to remove the shells, & did a quick count.

 

[TheRookie]

My broody Silkie hatched out a guinea keet for me, but since I miscalculated, she was still in the main coop with the big birds. They pecked at the baby keet and broke its leg in several places. She is now inside recovering. I had two 4 day old Silkie babies I bought at Chickenstock so I wondered if momma Lucy would accept them (two less chicks for me to have to clean up after since she is outside in a rabbit hutch). Lo and behold!! She took them!! None of my other broody moms have EVER accepted strange chicks!! Now she's a happy mommy and I'm happy too. Too bad all the other babies I got were older.. Id let her take as many as she could cover lol

 

[5 Acre Rooster]

Broody still being broody. Candled a couple eggs and deveolopement Good at 1 wk. Not checking whole batch, letting mama decide. Don't want to accidently break her.

 

[Johnn]

My broody Silkie hatched out a guinea keet for me, but since I miscalculated, she was still in the main coop with the big birds. They pecked at the baby keet and broke its leg in several places. She is now inside recovering. I had two 4 day old Silkie babies I bought at Chickenstock so I wondered if momma Lucy would accept them (two less chicks for me to have to clean up after since she is outside in a rabbit hutch). Lo and behold!! She took them!! None of my other broody moms have EVER accepted strange chicks!! Now she's a happy mommy and I'm happy too. Too bad all the other babies I got were older.. Id let her take as many as she could cover lol

I hope the guinea chick recovers!

 

[3 NH reds]

I finally got the nerve up to check on my broody Jersey, she is sitting on only one egg so I gave her three bator eggs due in a week and she took them. I let her peck my hand while I slipped in the other eggs. I moved the other hens so I know what eggs are supposed to hatch.Now I wonder where she is going to brood them. The nesting box is a pre made one and kind of small for her so I assume she will raise them in front of it where it is enclosed.

 

[Johnn]

 

[Flowerbh]

3 have hatched!!!! I have 3 little chicks

oh I'm so happy!!

I need advice again BYC peeps! mother hen has mites I have dusted her with mite powder, dusted the coop and hot watered bits I could but they are still around as she got them when she was sitting on the eggs! I'm worried (know my new chicks have them) what can I do help them out as they are so youn!,
HATE MITES lol but they are a fact of chickens

My chickens had mites once. I got the 5% Sevins dust, put it in a plastic bag then put the chicken in it up to it's neck and closed the bag around the neck and gently roll the chicken around in it. (It is actually called the shake and bake method because of the old shake and bake chicken coating mix!) Then I made sure to extra dust under their wings. You will have to do every chicken. You will also have to remove all the bedding and dust the entire coop and run. I also sprinkled the dust all over the coop and then took a leaf blower and blew it into every crack and crevice. To make sure my chickens don't get them again, I bought the large (same cost as the small size and lasts longer!) size of dog flea/tick/mite drops at the store and put a drop or two on the back of each chickens neck. I haven't had trouble with mites since. You may not want to do this while you have young babies. I think I would sprinkle DE earth on them and in their bedding until they are at least a few weeks old. DE (food grade) is non toxic and can be eaten by animals and people to get rid of parasites. Good luck!

 

[shakerchick]

I have some dark shelled eggs that haven't hatched and I was thinking of opening them (it's been 24 days). They don't smell bad from the outside. What might I find inside of them? Should I do this outdoors rather than in my kitchen?