Old Fashioned Broody Hen Hatch A Long and Informational Thread

[Lady of McCamley]

So it's confirmed in my mind that my broody ate one of the eggs out of her clutch. Is this normal ? I picked her up to get her off eggs and eat ect... She had no idea what to do !! Just ran around feathers up ! But she never ate anything , drank water or dust bathed.
Shouldi try to out water and food in front of her? Last time I moved her she broke a few eggs and stopped the attempt to go broody.
My other broody new exactly what to do!! No problems at all!
Any info would be great thank you!
I'm worried this is going to be a disaster

Broodies will often clean up a broken egg mess by eating the contents, then sit contentedly on the rest of the clutch until they hatch.

While it is possible, I have never had a broody begin to eat the viable eggs. If she does, she is not a good broody.

Some bigger hens tend to break eggs easier than others, which can also factor in.

Chances are it was a fragile egg, momma took out the garbage, all is well.
LofMc

 

[Angie16hearts]

Broodies will often clean up a broken egg mess by eating the contents, then sit contentedly on the rest of the clutch until they hatch.

While it is possible, I have never had a broody begin to eat the viable eggs. If she does, she is not a good broody.

Some bigger hens tend to break eggs easier than others, which can also factor in.

Chances are it was a fragile egg, momma took out the garbage, all is well.
LofMc

Few , thank you!! I'm glad you answered since you walked me through my first broody

and she did very well !!
This one is a bit confused.

 

[Wishapup]

Just on a lark, I have set eggs that have been in my refrigerator for 4 days. All hatched and went on to do just fine!

I have always refrigerated my hatching eggs and have had great results. Then, on this forum, I discovered that most people didn't...so I tried storing my next big incubator batch in a dark/cool place.

Conclusion: I will continue to refrigerate my hatching eggs.

Important to note is that if you are setting eggs under 2 weeks old, refrigerating isn't recommended and is more harmful than not, apparently.

If you're going to be storing them after 14 days, when they lose viability, refrigeration is a definite advantage.

 

[ShinShien]

So it's confirmed in my mind that my broody ate one of the eggs out of her clutch. Is this normal ? I picked her up to get her off eggs and eat ect... She had no idea what to do !! Just ran around feathers up ! But she never ate anything , drank water or dust bathed.
Shouldi try to out water and food in front of her? Last time I moved her she broke a few eggs and stopped the attempt to go broody.
My other broody new exactly what to do!! No problems at all!
Any info would be great thank you!
I'm worried this is going to be a disaster

My broody just ate one of her eggs yesterday. Now, she's down to 12. What was left in the nest stunk, bleh! Is there a chance the embryo had died then she ate the egg? Anyway, there's rotten yolk staining a bunch of the other eggs, but I don't want to wash them. I cleaned the nest, gave her fresh hay and she's back on the nest. Will the remaining yolk-stained eggs maybe hatch, or is bacteria already inside them?

 

[Lady of McCamley]

My broody just ate one of her eggs yesterday. Now, she's down to 12. What was left in the nest stunk, bleh! Is there a chance the embryo had died then she ate the egg? Anyway, there's rotten yolk staining a bunch of the other eggs, but I don't want to wash them. I cleaned the nest, gave her fresh hay and she's back on the nest. Will the remaining yolk-stained eggs maybe hatch, or is bacteria already inside them?

Yes, hens can smell too, and will clean up bad eggs. Often they simply roll them out of the nest, but sometimes they will eat them (eeeew!)
It is all momma's way of keeping things tidy.

No, the eggs are not a bust. The bloom on the egg is antibacterial, so as long as you do not wash them (which you didn't), they should be fine. I've had plenty of eggs hatch after one messy, bad one, broke.

Obviously it is not ideal. I do not have the issue of chicks not hatching (that I've observed) but with risk of omphalitis...if the chick's naval area does not enclose completely the first day of hatch, (as in the day it will start to pip) bacteria can enter into its abdomen causing serious infection. Most chicks will die within a few hours of hatch or die during hatch after pipping and allowing bacteria to enter.

But, that is the process of things, if you think of it in the natural sense. Those with healthy abdomens that closed properly hatch just fine, even with less than sanitary conditions...and grow up to healthy hens.

LofMc

 

[saltandpepper2]

Sad day at my little homestead. My broody started failing in health, and I'm now starting to wonder if it's mareks baring it's ugly head again Is there any way to save the eggs??? She's been off them for a few hours now, and I know I probably can't save her, so I would at least like to save the eggs.

 

[Heron's Nest Farm]

Sad day at my little homestead. My broody started failing in health, and I'm now starting to wonder if it's mareks baring it's ugly head again Is there any way to save the eggs??? She's been off them for a few hours now, and I know I probably can't save her, so I would at least like to save the eggs.

I am so sorry. That is disappointing and heartbreaking at the same time.

Do you have an incubator? That is the only way I know. I would get them warm FAST!

 

[saltandpepper2]

I am so sorry. That is disappointing and heartbreaking at the same time.

Do you have an incubator? That is the only way I know. I would get them warm FAST!

I have an incubator, but it's not warm enough for them to be put in

 

[Heron's Nest Farm]

Get em in there! Get it going! Does it get up to temp? If so,. do it!

 

[saltandpepper2]

Just put them in...

for the best.