Old Fashioned Broody Hen Hatch A Long and Informational Thread

[Fuffy]

Think today is day 12

I candled all 12 eggs. 3 were duds for sure, so I have taken them away. 2 are probably quitters. I'm not sure what is going on in there, but they didn't seem to be as far along as the rest. So I marked them and put them back under. So Hermione is sitting on 5 definates and 2 maybes.

Due on June 15th

 

[Chicklette 1]

It will be interesting to see how your prediction turns out! Good luck

 

[Youneek Farm]

I have a barred rock that has gone broody, though I don't know for how long. It seems like it's been a couple of weeks now. We've decided to get some fertilized eggs from a friend (no rooster here) but I'm nervous that since she's already been sitting for awhile, she'll give up before the new eggs will hatch. Any suggestions or do I have nothing to worry about?

On another note related to someone elses post, We once had a broody hen hatch her eggs in teh general population of the coop. She had 4 chicks and was very protective of them. We did not quarantine them from others and the other hens left the chicks alone. That was much easier to us than having to integrate "strange chicks" to the flock like we've done in years we ordered chicks. My advice is to let nature take it's course and let the mommas raise the chicks on their own.

Thanks,

 

[Fuffy]

Quote:
Can you give her some falsies? Golf balls will do the job. Then you just do a switcheroo while she isn't looking.

Good luck

 

[Oregon Chicken]

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I'm wondering this as well. We have a buff orph who's been broody for 3 weeks on an empty nest! A couple days ago we slid 6 fertilized eggs under her. So far she's still sitting, but will she stay there for another 3 weeks until they hatch?

 

[Miss Lydia]

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It's hard to say if they are duds, why not candle around day 7 or 10 you should see something growing by then.

 

[Miss Lydia]

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I'm wondering this as well. We have a buff orph who's been broody for 3 weeks on an empty nest! A couple days ago we slid 6 fertilized eggs under her. So far she's still sitting, but will she stay there for another 3 weeks until they hatch?

I had a hen that sat the 21 one days and they were all duds, so I just slipped her some more eggs I knew where fertile and she sat tight for another 21 days. I made sure she had plenty of chick food and fresh water close by and also feed her meal worms for extra protein. she has 3 healthy chicks and mama is doing great too.

 

[countrygirl911]

we are on day 18 and waiting on her one lonely egg left to hatch

 

[NHchicks]

I would also add that my broody was sitting on unfertilized eggs maybe a week, 10 days, maybe it was even 2 weeks, before I got her fertilized eggs, and she continued sitting until they hatched. Like I read someone here say - chickens can't count, so they don't really know when 21 days is up.

I would just make extra sure that she's comfortable if she has to sit there that long.

That's why it's so hard for me to break a broody too - they're persistent.

And Miss Lydia, I can't bear giving them up either. They're all so unique. But oh well, I can't have them overcrowded and sick either, so I'll hold my nose and give them back to the person who sold me the fertilized eggs to begin with...

Altho, of course, I do have to keep just a couple...

 

[HHandbasket]

So today is day 21, and I was in the henhouse getting eggs from the OTHER nest (i.e., the one that non-broodies are laying in), and I could hear something stirring under the broody. Much to her dismay, I lifted her slightly and took a peek. Definitely has at least 1 chick under her so far, possibly 2! So exciting! I love hatch day.