Old Fashioned Broody Hen Hatch A Long and Informational Thread

[gardenfarm]

My hen has moved!! The eggs are gone and she is sat in a new spot, presumably on her old eggs? Why??

Thanks!

 

[Citychick11]

I have my first broody hen! She is sharing a coop with one other hen. She has been very dedicated to staying on the nest. Tomorrow will be day 7. I'm so excited! I'm tempted to candle one at least to be sure they are developing.

Do Golden Laced Wyandottes make good mothers?

I am amazed that hens can set there so long without starving to death. She has access to food and water. I just never see her get up.

TJ

 

[emmie325]

My hen just started laying again

 

[fisherlady]

My hen has moved!! The eggs are gone and she is sat in a new spot, presumably on her old eggs? Why??

Thanks!

Hens can be fickle about having their nest bothered, or she may have been bothered by a draft or light she didn't like...hard to tell why sometimes. She most likely moved here eggs because she felt something just needed to be different. I have seen Hens move nests just so they can watch coop activities easier. Lol

 

[gardenfarm]

Few! Thanks a lot! I'm unsure what day my eggs are on. I candled them, there very dark with a very very distinct air space and if I hold the light at a certain angle I can see veins
When should I expect chicks?

 

[gardenfarm]

The veins are on the dark bit which fills 85 percent of the egg

 

[fisherlady]

The veins are on the dark bit which fills 85 percent of the egg

There is an 'egg developement pictures' thread on here somewhere.... try searching for 'candling pictures'. Then compare what you saw to the pictures, from what you describe I would estimate at past day 14, so chicks within a week.

 

[fisherlady]

The veins are on the dark bit which fills 85 percent of the egg

Here is a thread with good pictures for comparison.

https://www.backyardchickens.com/t/...g-candling-pics-progression-though-incubation

 

[h2oratt]

How soon does a broody go back to laying? It has been two weeks

 

[gardenfarm]

I think of depends, chickens can be different. My old girl was broody for two months. Others were on off and some in days.