Old Fashioned Broody Hen Hatch A Long and Informational Thread

[fisherlady]

Apparently they were packed on August 5th, so the eggs are a week old. Reading up on TJ eggs this seems an okay date. Anyway, they took the eggs under their wings and I'll let them be for now. Someone needs to put a lock on that coop and keep me out for the rest of the incubation period/

It is very hard to leave the broody do her thing. I'm on broody 23 now for the year and still am tempted and have to remind myself that the hen knows what she is doing. LOL

 

[Gardenlady2]

I have a broody hen again (her first time, my second).
Can I put eggs under her that were laid yesterday and the day before? They've been sitting at room temperature.
Also, how many eggs should I give her? She's a Delaware.
Thanks!

 

[fisherlady]

I have a broody hen again (her first time, my second).
Can I put eggs under her that were laid yesterday and the day before? They've been sitting at room temperature.
Also, how many eggs should I give her? She's a Delaware.
Thanks!

Yes, you can give her those eggs. Large hens can usually handle about a dozen though for a first time broody 8 is a good number.

 

[sahmhomesteader]

I am so bummed! Broody just got up off her nest and one of the three eggs was missing! We are around day 17 so this really really stinks! That means just two eggs left. She is in the coop with the rest of my flock. Could someone have eaten one? There is no trace of egg...

 

[bobbieschicks]

I am so bummed! Broody just got up off her nest and one of the three eggs was missing! We are around day 17 so this really really stinks! That means just two eggs left. She is in the coop with the rest of my flock. Could someone have eaten one? There is no trace of egg...

Sorry. Yes she probably ate it if it wasn't going to hatch.

 

[sahmhomesteader]

Sorry. Yes she probably ate it if it wasn't going to hatch.

Well if she ate it for that reason then I am happy. I just didn't want to hear that another chicken went in there and just ate it for no reason. I am feeling relieved.

Well I still have 2. I hope there will be healthy and happy baby chicks in a few days!

 

[suyoder]

Im on day 8 with my broody Bantam.... she's a champ! ;-) Her nest box is about 6" off the ground... should I move her into her own small pen before the babies hatch? I believe they could probably get out of the pen she is in now. Dutch bantams are TINY.

 

[sktlmt]

I have a broody hen who had 13 eggs now it is 12. It is day 20 and for the first time lifted her up and found shells. I then saw the wet baby chick that was still partially in the shell with a yolk sac still attached. She is a Naked Neck and is just a year old. I want to believe there was something wrong with the egg but I think she killed it. She has food and water less then a foot away. Is the rest of the clutch safe? Or do I need to have a box ready to go and take them away from her as they hatch?
Thanks

 

[ApiaryandAviary]

I have a broody hen who had 13 eggs now it is 12. It is day 20 and for the first time lifted her up and found shells. I then saw the wet baby chick that was still partially in the shell with a yolk sac still attached. She is a Naked Neck and is just a year old. I want to believe there was something wrong with the egg but I think she killed it. She has food and water less then a foot away.  Is the rest of the clutch safe? Or do I need to have a box ready to go and take them away from her as they hatch? 
Thanks

This sometimes happens even in my incubator. The dame is innocent I tell you.

 

[bobbieschicks]

I have a broody hen who had 13 eggs now it is 12. It is day 20 and for the first time lifted her up and found shells. I then saw the wet baby chick that was still partially in the shell with a yolk sac still attached. She is a Naked Neck and is just a year old. I want to believe there was something wrong with the egg but I think she killed it. She has food and water less then a foot away.  Is the rest of the clutch safe? Or do I need to have a box ready to go and take them away from her as they hatch? 
Thanks

I'm sorry for the loss, but I wouldn't be concerned.

My RIR last time had a fully hatched dead chick under her and a crushed egg with partially developed chick. She also had three other eggs under her. I disposed of the dead and crushed. A little later she hatched the three remaining eggs into my now 6 week old WL chicks.

It happens. Not every egg becomes a chick, and sometimes despite our best care, we loose a chick a few days after hatch.