Our First Broody and Incubator Hatch: a Diary

[igorsMistress]

two out, two eggs left in nesting box while she shows them food and drink; will the other two eggs be OK, assuming they are on the point of hatching (all set together)?

Awe she looks thrilled I bet she's going to be a great mama!

I think they'll be fine. Trust her instincts unless you think you really need to step in. If the last 2 are left alone period then either she thinks they won't hatch or the needs of those that have are more important. You can candle and decide what to do about tossing or incubating yourself. I incubated until I could candle with new batteries to be sure but that's me.

 

[igorsMistress]

 

[Perris]

so sweet! don't they run fast!

 

[igorsMistress]

Yea they do! And peep a lot too.

 

[Perris]

What I found this morning was an egg laid by another hen in the neighbouring nest box had been broken; that's not happened before here. Was it coincidental, or deliberate do you think? The contents hadn't been eaten, they'd just spilled onto the straw and shavings below. But it prompted me to look closely at the broody's 2 remaining eggs, as they had still not hatched this morning, and she had led the two chicks off the nest to feed. I took them to candle (for the first time; haven't interfered with her sitting hitherto), and found both had failed to develop at all, either being infertile or something else went wrong very early. So she can focus entirely on the chicks now, which is good

 

[igorsMistress]

Eggs get broken and accidents happen. Unless egg eating happens all the time I wouldn't worry about it.

If an egg breaks in the nest they're going to eat it. Don't want that attracting predators.

You think it has never happened, but it may have and was cleaned up so you didn't know.

 

[aart]

What I found this morning was an egg laid by another hen in the neighbouring nest box had been broken; that's not happened before here. Was it coincidental, or deliberate do you think? The contents hadn't been eaten, they'd just spilled onto the straw and shavings below.

Was the shell there.....and was it thin or 'normal'?
A thin or soft shelled egg may easily break from being stepped on and is fair game for eating, IMO....often you find nothing but a wet spot of gunk on other eggs in nest, or if you don't see/feel it, you smell it after a couple days.

 

[Perris]

yes the shell was there - mostly intact in fact, and looked normal in thickness etc. The broody is now sitting right inside the pop door blocking access to all! I wonder what will happen come dusk if not before... I've opened the shed so the rest have alternative accommodation if they need it

 

[igorsMistress]

 

[BlueBaby]

@igorsMistress She's turning out to be a good momma, isn't she? The chicks look happy and healthy!