Old Fashioned Broody Hen Hatch A Long and Informational Thread

[PD-Riverman]

Hey guys! I have a question. We have a broody who's eggs are due to hatch at anytime. Tomorrow will be her 21 days. I know by reading on some of them forums that the days could be off a little. Should I be checking her eggs?

I agree, just for info, I personally have never had a broody that hatched any from day 22 on---all(that were good) were hatched before then. If a egg gets rolled out of the nest or the broody stays off the eggs to long(got cooled some) a few times during incubation I feel it can delay the hatch-----if it was still alive. I just move all my hens to a private hatching pen and build their nest where if a egg rolls---it rolls under her. I set 72 broodies in 2015, none hatched after late day 21, but 99+% of all the eggs that were good hatched before then. Just My experience with them.

 

[AnneInTheBurbs]

Quote:

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Quote: I agree with you guys too. I have only have a few broodies, but they know what they are doing. I don't peek, per se, but I have checked on her and listened for peeps. Sometimes when they have just hatched, you can't see anything, but if the broody makes a noise, you can hear little peeps from underneath. Then you run around the yard doing the happy dance!

My other broodies usually hatched out chicks on Day 20-21. I have a new broody that is due for hatching in about a week. She is sitting on 6 turkey eggs, but I played russian roulette and snuck some chicken eggs under her on day 21. I am praying that they all hatch in the same 48 hours. I will keep you all updated, whether you like it or not.

 

[Violetsfeathers]

What day are you supposed to candle the eggs to see if they are fertile??? Mine are on day 5/6 and looks like only two out of eight eggs are developing for sure one.
All the ones that were supposed to be fertilized by my Cochin roo look unfertile

 

[fisherlady]

What day are you supposed to candle the eggs to see if they are fertile??? Mine are on day 5/6 and looks like only two out of eight eggs are developing for sure one.
All the ones that were supposed to be fertilized by my Cochin roo look unfertile

I candle somewhere between day 7 to 10, if any are questionable we mark them and check just them again in 3 or 4 days. I don't bother them after that unless I happen to see the hen off the nest for her daily break then Iwill sneak another look sometimes. Basically all I worry about is pulling clears or sloshy eggs. Measuring air cells and such doesn't tell us much and the hens control the humidity anyway.

 

[nchls school]

What day are you supposed to candle the eggs to see if they are fertile??? Mine are on day 5/6 and looks like only two out of eight eggs are developing

for sure one.
All the ones that were supposed to be fertilized by my Cochin roo look unfertile

I candle white eggs on day 4; others on day 6. Unless the eggs are pigmented you should be able to see developing veins etc. Clear eggs can be discarded by day 5/6. Check the cochin rooster's vent area. A frequent infertility problem with chickens is soiled feathers around the vent or overgrown feathers. Trimming the vent feathers often solves the problem. Check your hens too.

 

[Violetsfeathers]

I candle white eggs on day 4; others on day 6. Unless the eggs are pigmented you should be able to see developing veins etc. Clear eggs can be discarded by day 5/6. Check the cochin rooster's vent area. A frequent infertility problem with chickens is soiled feathers around the vent or overgrown feathers. Trimming the vent feathers often solves the problem. Check your hens too.

Okay, there is one egg that is very light with a black yolk. Weird. Pretty sure it's infertile. The rest just have yolks in them. I keep my chickens vents clean and have trimmed some feathers before I set the eggs

 

[nchls school]

Quote: I never heard of a black yolk. Are you sure it's not a developing embryo? I'm off to work. Good luck.

 

[Violetsfeathers]

I never heard of a black yolk. Are you sure it's not a developing embryo? I'm off to work. Good luck.

It's not actually black, I think it's just so dense no light gets through, pretty sure it's dead.

 

[darcynally]

I love the idea of momma chicky talking to her babies before they even hatch. I'm hoping my Bearded Silkie hen goes broody for this contest. Fingers crossed and wish us luck on making some Silkie Seramas

 

[darcynally]

I want my hens to be broody mommas! I want entered in the contest. Go team Chippin McPuff-N-Stuff and Pico the Guy-oh!