Old Fashioned Broody Hen Hatch A Long and Informational Thread

[gladahmae]

I'm debating my course of action. I have 11 eggs in my incubator, 5 under my silkie, and I have another pullet who is broody. She's a mean broody, so I doubt she'd have any trouble making sure everyone else left her babies alone (while my silkie just let everyone do whatever they wanted to her babies *sigh* ). My problem is, I'm finding cracked eggs under her every day when I collect. Usually just 1 egg out of 3-6 has a spot where it looks like it was pecked or just stepped on really hard. I don't know if my broody is doing it, or if the other hens are doing it in their attempt to lay their eggs in her nest box.

My incubator eggs are due to hatch this weekend (she's been sitting for almost a week) and I'm wondering about either putting eggs under her to hatch and raise or slipping chicks under her, OR breaking her. I will, of course, separate her from the others in a big dog kennel in the coop for safety's sake for a few days. I just do NOT want to have my lovely (and expensive) shipped eggs get cracked 3 days before hatching. Any thoughts?

 

[lawatt]

Hello! First time hatcher here. Have 10 Blue Orp eggs set under my SPPR broody. Candled today. One saw one "textbook" egg with the veining and embryo visible.Most looked half dark, half light, 1 was totally clear/unfertilized and the rest looked completely dark. Hoping for a decent hatch this time. Our last attempt was 0% (but I didn't know to let them sit point down for 24 hours). We can only go up from there! LOL

Any tips are greatly appreciated.

no tips in particular, but just to let you know, i had five broodies this spring, and now another one's just decided to sit, and so far, my two SPPRs were the BEST moms of the bunch. so best of luck! hope that yours follows suit!

 

[SJ]

This is my first post on here since April. Wooops! only 1350 posts to read. but I got 4 broody chooks and 2 broody muscovies right now. Also I got a great hatch on April 20th. Only 2 losses from that hatch to date and the chicks are averaging 4lbs. right now. Ill get some pics for yall.

 

[Chickawawa]

Quote: SPPR yes! I'm too lazy to type that out! LOL

 

[saracalderas]

SPPR yes! I'm too lazy to type that out! LOL

I would have to agree then. Let's see her!

 

[Chickawawa]

Quote: That is so great to hear! We have 2 SPPRs left and tried to break them of the broodiness but in the end broke down and bought them hatching eggs! I have no doubt they will be wonderful mothers as they are such dedicated broodies.

 

[Donna Lynn]

I have two babies so far! Myrtie & Alice. I'm staying with my ancestor theme and naming my new chicks after my Great g-mas.

They are so cute!

I lost one egg that got tossled around. I think the chick was already dead because the yolk hadn't been absorbed. We'll see if anymore hatch!

 

[OHfarmerswife]

I have two babies so far! Myrtie & Alice. I'm staying with my ancestor theme and naming my new chicks after my Great g-mas. They are so cute! I lost one egg that got tossled around. I think the chick was already dead because the yolk hadn't been absorbed. We'll see if anymore hatch!

how sweet! Love your idea of using family names

 

[Jharper]

One of my BA's eggs piped on the wrong end. I made sure that it could breathe. What should I do next?

 

[perchie.girl]

One of my BA's eggs piped on the wrong end. I made sure that it could breathe. What should I do next?

As far as I know as long as it can breathe it should be ok. That egg isnt super pointy so probably enough room for the chick to turn around while its pipping.

deb