Old Fashioned Broody Hen Hatch A Long and Informational Thread

[Blarneyeggs]

I am crossing my fingers for you Featherz!

 

[featherz]

I am crossing my fingers for you Featherz!

Thanks.. I just went out to the coop before going to work, and mommas are still sitting on chicks, clucking away. Changed the door timer to let all the adult chickens out earlier - they usually get pretty far away unless coming back to lay, so mommas will have coop to themselves for a while. They've been respectful to each other so far, let's see if they can manage it when they get out. Maybe I'll get lucky and they won't take the chicks out today LOL.

 

[Miss Lydia]

Thanks.. I just went out to the coop before going to work, and mommas are still sitting on chicks, clucking away. Changed the door timer to let all the adult chickens out earlier - they usually get pretty far away unless coming back to lay, so mommas will have coop to themselves for a while. They've been respectful to each other so far, let's see if they can manage it when they get out. Maybe I'll get lucky and they won't take the chicks out today LOL.

I wouldn't worry about mama and chicks around your other birds, they can pretty much take care of any incident, and the flock for the most part will respect mama. Congrats, happy to hear all is well.

 

[stonykill]

I wouldn't worry about mama and chicks around your other birds, they can pretty much take care of any incident, and the flock for the most part will respect mama. Congrats, happy to hear all is well.

x2
congrats feathers!

 

[Miss Lydia]

soooooo... I have a broody EE setting on 8 eggs. Due in one week, candled tonight and all look good at the moment. Problem is that she keeps breaking eggs... I find the shell and some goopy residue behind. I have had to resort to wiping off the remaining eggs, since I was worried they would suffocate with all that stuff on them. Any clue why she is breaking them? Is she just a klutz, or could she be doing it on purpose? Today I had to clean them again, and all that was left was a little bit of chick down stuck to the other eggs. Mama is in a foursquare coop by herself with food and water sitting right next to the nest, shavings on the bottom of nest box and hay for her to make the nest. Thanks!

Sounds like she has plenty of room, wiping the eggs isn't a good idea. it takes off the natural bloom and causes bacteria to enter. if you can just use a paper towel or something else soft, it won't matter how much gets on there they seem to be able to hatch even with poop all over them and dirt, have you ever seen duck eggs? they are usually filthy and still hatch. once a chicken breaks open an egg even by accident sometimes they will continue to do so because they like to eat whats inside., not saying this is what is happening with your broody but make sure she has plenty of fresh food and water close by and maybe give her a little canned salmon or tuna with salt rinsed off for some extra protein. and lots of bedding to keep those eggs protected. I hope they make it to hatch day.

 

[bobbieschicks]

Quote:
x2
congrats feathers!

xs3 congrats.

 

[This_chicks_place]

soooooo... I have a broody EE setting on 8 eggs. Due in one week, candled tonight and all look good at the moment. Problem is that she keeps breaking eggs... I find the shell and some goopy residue behind. I have had to resort to wiping off the remaining eggs, since I was worried they would suffocate with all that stuff on them. Any clue why she is breaking them? Is she just a klutz, or could she be doing it on purpose? Today I had to clean them again, and all that was left was a little bit of chick down stuck to the other eggs. Mama is in a foursquare coop by herself with food and water sitting right next to the nest, shavings on the bottom of nest box and hay for her to make the nest. Thanks!

Congrats! We have had two eggs disappear from under our broody and we assume she must have cracked them somehow then eaten them. She stopped at two and one of the five has hatched so far! We never had an egg eater before. Maybe she knew they were not going to make it??

 

[This_chicks_place]

First little peeper arrived safetly over night.

I hope to see another before the days end!

 

[Tripp16]

First little peeper arrived safetly over night.

I hope to see another before the days end!

Congrats!! I always love seeing new mommas and babies! I hope all of them hatch! Keep us updated!!

 

[Miss Lydia]

First little peeper arrived safetly over night.

I hope to see another before the days end!

So sweet. Love the color of those eggs too, can't wait to see what comes out of them..