Old Fashioned Broody Hen Hatch A Long and Informational Thread

[runsw/scissors]

Thanks for the answers... that's just about my luck too; 0 for 3, yep that is just about my speed.

A question for you ladies and gentlemen... I really don't know what to do...

I put 3 eggs under my broody hen late afternoon on the 10th. Those eggs have yet to hatch. I did the float test and it shows low (approx 1/3 above the waterline) and floating. How much longer do I give these eggs??

I have one egg that isn't due to hatch until tomorrow, but that egg was booted out of the nest by mama and got very cold before I found it and put it back under her. I expect that one to be delayed.

Anyway, Mama spent so much time off the nest I pulled the eggs from the nest put them in the 'bator and float tested them. So, when should I start to worry? This is day 22...

 

[Jloeffler]

RWS: Can you candle them? I've never tried the float test, I've always candled. Seeing movement in the egg makes it easier to wait!

Impress: Congrats!! So cute!

 

[Miss Lydia]

Quote:
yep i think candling would be better at this stage. and Jl you are doing great at enabling everyone in your circle.

and Congrats Impress looking forward to hearing more good news!!

 

[BarnGoddess01]

My "kids" will be 10 weeks old tomorrow. Caught one of them crowing this morning and Red Sex Link Broody Mama is STILL fiercely defending them!!!

 

[Impress]

I saw 4 when I managed to pry her up this morning! The camera battery is charging, oh my goodness this is exciting! To answer my question, yes, poop covered eggs do hatch!

EDIT: She has 3 babies and decided that was enough, she hopped off the other eggs and ignored them. Good thing I had the incubator up and running, fingers crossed that I'll have 3 babies to slip under her tonight while she snoozes!

 

[cackler]

I saw 4 when I managed to pry her up this morning! The camera battery is charging, oh my goodness this is exciting! To answer my question, yes, poop covered eggs do hatch!

EDIT: She has 3 babies and decided that was enough, she hopped off the other eggs and ignored them. Good thing I had the incubator up and running, fingers crossed that I'll have 3 babies to slip under her tonight while she snoozes!

GOOD LUCK!!!!

 

[danielnv]

Do you guys like to add a little food and water to the nest box to keep broody mama from getting too skinny? And do I need to move her to a bigger nestbox where she definitely won't have more eggs added? She has been quite protective and I haven't seen any other hens in her box or her out of it, so I don't know how many she is setting on or if more are being laid under her.

 

[runsw/scissors]

STOOPID hen killed them all.

I may cook her yet! One had it's intestines outside it's body so pecking it to death made some sense... But the other 3?! Don't get it.

I am so upset.

(

 

[Niss]

RWS--So sorry!

I can't imagine how frustrating it is to come that far and lose them all. I have no idea what was going on in her chicken brain to do that, maybe if we did stewing her wouldn't seem so appealing!

 

[BarnGoddess01]

Quote:
I provide my mamas with a "private" box within the coop. That way she and the eggs aren't disturbed. I had food and water available to my broody mama at all times. The water went down pretty consistently. Not much food but I did catch her eating some.