Old Fashioned Broody Hen Hatch A Long and Informational Thread

[Abriana]

My Golden Laced Wyandotte went broody last year in May and hatched 3 chicks. This year, I was disappointed when May came and went with no broody hen. However, she DID go broody in August!! I just happened to have a carton of fertile eggs from the local farm that I put under her. She started with 12 eggs, but 4 ended up breaking. Two have hatched (day 21 was Thursday) and I'm about to lose hope that the others will hatch. I don't know if I should wait till she stops sitting on them or if I should candle them to see if they are duds. Is there any hope at day 25?

Definitely candle to make sure.

 

[Citychick11]

Definitely candle to make sure.

I just checked. One had broken and there was no signs of development. Of the 5 that I candled, 1 had no development. So the other 4 are dark and I can't see anything but a little light on one end. Not sure what I should see.

 

[Abriana]

You should see this. That is the air sac that the chick breathes from while in the egg.

 

[Citychick11]

View attachment 1138919 You should see this. That is the air sac that the chick breathes from while in the egg.

That's what 4 of them look like. Just no signs of life. No rocking, no peeping.

 

[Citychick11]

So if I don't get more than 2 chicks from this batch, is there a time window where she will accept other chicks? I could order some....

 

[AnneInTheBurbs]

So if I don't get more than 2 chicks from this batch, is there a time window where she will accept other chicks? I could order some....

You have about a 48 hour window from the time the first one hatches. If you can find some locally, that would be ideal. If not, she can raise just 2. It's not ideal, but it will work.

 

[Faraday40]

It's possible some of those few remaining eggs could hatch. If you have an incubator, you could pop them in there for a couple more days. If not, just let nature happen. I normally don't see movement near the end due to the chick taking up all the space except the air cell. I like to tap on the egg & listen for tapping or peeping back. If nothing, I candle and look for an internal pip. (A little "^" poking up into the air cell.)

Some hens will accept more chicks easily & others only right after hatching & they must be the same age/size. Unless you really want more chicks, your hen will be perfectly happy with 2.

 

[Faraday40]

Yep, my big blue orp is REALLY BROODY!

 

[Leahs Mom]

@Faraday40
I'm jealous.

 

[WVduckchick]

A serama pullet of mine went broody last month. I had some of her and a sister's eggs in the incubator anyway, so once i was sure she was serious, i gave her the 5 eggs on day 7. The sister later joined her sitting on them. I noticed a few days later there was an additional egg. I hoped it would hatch soon with the others, i wasn't sure how long it had been there, but it was developing nicely. Well, the 5 hatched last Monday and Tuesday. The girls finally left the other egg, so i put it in the incubator because it looked close to hatching. Finally on Sunday, yesterday, it hatched. I took it outside, stuck it under one of the girls and left for the day. Came home, not sure what i would find, but the chick is doing well. Right where it belongs.