Old Fashioned Broody Hen Hatch A Long and Informational Thread

[AnneInTheBurbs]

My poults starting hatching today! So far she has two, but I'm hoping for more overnight... She spooked me today when I saw her get off the nest. [COLOR=FF0000]I've seen even my experienced hens do this; last week one was taking a break even though a chick had completely hatched. The hen returned shortly and all the eggs hatched. They know what they are doing![/COLOR] I checked the nest and one of the eggs had pipped. I thought she must not know what she is doing since this is her first time.


She was back on the nest within 10 minutes! A few hours later she had her first poult. She had hatched another on last check. I'm trying not to disturb her but it's so hard!! . I will post pics tomorrow when I can get a better view!

Good luck and don't worry. The hen taking a last minute break is normal. I set 15 Midget White Turkey eggs under a total of four hens yesterday. Shipped eggs-none broken and membranes all intact-I'm hoping to have poults in a months  .

Thanks! Best of luck for lots of poults!

 

[curious chickee]

My broody is due to hatch tonight, 4 bantam eggs. She is a great mom,but don't put your hand near her

 

[Violetsfeathers]

I was taking my broody out of the nest box to get some excercise which I do 2-3 times a day to make sure they are eating and drinking. And her foot got caught on an egg and fell out of the nest and broke it was just a bunch of small cracks, I'm not sure if I broke the membrane, there was some blood.
Anyway I duct taped it. I know there is like, a 5% or so chance of it surviving but, I can try right? I'll take the duct tape off on hatching day so it can hatch if it's alive.

I feel so bad! it was the only egg I had from that hen too!
Do guys think it will live?

 

[AnneInTheBurbs]

My broody is due to hatch tonight, 4 bantam eggs. She is a great mom,but don't put your hand near her

That's so exciting!! Best of luck for lots of peeps!

I was taking my broody out of the nest box to get some excercise which I do 2-3 times a day to make sure they are eating and drinking. And her foot got caught on an egg and fell out of the nest and broke

it was just a bunch of small cracks, I'm not sure if I broke the membrane, there was some blood.
Anyway I duct taped it. I know there is like, a 5% or so chance of it surviving but, I can try right? I'll take the duct tape off on hatching day so it can hatch if it's alive.


I feel so bad!

it was the only egg I had from that hen too!
Do guys think it will live?

I'm sorry, but I doubt it will make it. My hen was sitting on an egg and I noticed it was cracked. That one did not make it either. I don't know if it started to hatch, or if she crushed it, but she ended up eating it!

 

[Violetsfeathers]

That's so exciting!! Best of luck for lots of peeps!



I'm sorry, but I doubt it will make it.  My hen was sitting on an egg and I noticed it was cracked.  That one did not make it either.  I don't know if it started to hatch, or if she crushed it, but she ended up eating it!

Oh I know, I had to grab it before the other chickens ate it

I did candle it before I put duct tape on it so I'll know if it's growing or not.

 

[nchls school]

I was taking my broody out of the nest box to get some excercise which I do 2-3 times a day to make sure they are eating and drinking. And her foot got caught on an egg and fell out of the nest and broke

it was just a bunch of small cracks, I'm not sure if I broke the membrane, there was some blood. If there was blood the membrane broke.
Anyway I duct taped it. I know there is like, a 5% or so chance of it surviving but, I can try right? It never hurts to try. I'll take the duct tape off on hatching day so it can hatch if it's alive.


I feel so bad!

it was the only egg I had from that hen too!
Do guys think it will live? Sorry. There is very little chance of survival.

There is no need to take a brooding hen off the nest for exercise and food/water. Hens will take care of their own needs when needed. Often they are very secretive about leaving their nest; which gives the impression they are not doing so. Your experience shows what can happen when well-meaning people try to help, all to often the results are even more disasterous.

I've read so many posts similar to yours and of people taking broody hens off the nest. I have no wish to make you feel worse than you do by telling you this; only so you won't go through the experience again-and maybe someone else reading your post will hesitate before making the same mistake.

 

[nchls school]

My broody is due to hatch tonight, 4 bantam eggs. She is a great mom,but don't put your hand near her

Good luck!

 

[Violetsfeathers]

There is no need to take a brooding hen off the nest for exercise and food/water. Hens will take care of their own needs when needed. Often they are very secretive about leaving their nest; which gives the impression they are not doing so. Your experience shows what can happen when well-meaning people try to help, all to often the results are even more disasterous.

I've read so many posts similar to yours and of people taking broody hens off the nest. I have no wish to make you feel worse than you do by telling you this; only so you won't go through the experience again-and maybe someone else reading your post will hesitate before making the same mistake. 

I have the broody nests blocked off (they have food and water) so other won't go in and lay eggs/ pick on them. One of my non-broodies kicks hens off the nest just for fun and then walks away... until the broody returns.
I take the broodies out to excercise and take a dump

 

[nchls school]

Quote: Yes. Other hens can be very intrusive. I do hope the egg survives to hatch a strong chick for you.

 

[Violetsfeathers]

Yes. Other hens can be very intrusive. I do hope the egg survives to hatch a strong chick for you.

Thanks