Orphaned Eggs

[greengoddessrecycling]

I just got home and checked the eggs. I think they were too hot. I feel really stupid now because while feeding my other chickens I saw my hen that I thought was most likely eaten. I guess she got scared and flew off and hid. I feel awful. She's okay, but now I've most likely killed her babies. I appreciate all of your thoughts. I've learned a powerful lesson, let nature take its course. Boy is that hard. Thanks, Kim

 

[gabrielle1976]

If she is still being broody you might put them back and see what happens..

 

[greengoddessrecycling]

I don't know what that means.

 

[gabrielle1976]

Give the hen back her eggs and see if she will start sitting on them again.

 

[greengoddessrecycling]

Oh. All of my grown birds are yard birds. When they were given to me, they had been living in trees, and that's what they still want to do. She's out with her group in the yard hunting bugs right now. It doesn't seem to bother her like it does me. I do have two hens with babies (15 babies) that I'm keeping in a little house with fenced yard. So far, they all want to go back in during the night, which I'm grateful for. I've got a lot to learn. They are giving me such pleasure though, just watching them.

The mom and eggs have been away from each other all day. Should I just put the eggs back? I'm afraid if she doesn't go to them the same critter will come back this evening and take them. I'm also afraid it will be too cold for them outside, even though I may have cooked them already.

 

[Judy]

It won't be too cold for them outside; she will take care of that. Hard to say whether she will sit on them any more, though. I had a broody hatch and raise a chick in the late fall/winter.

However it turns out, don't beat yourself up. You certainly tried. It's a unique situation, and I don't think there was ever a "right" answer. You will have learned from it, and you are in the right place for help.

 

[peepinglaura]

Yeah, what ddawn said.