Our First Broody and Incubator Hatch: a Diary

[tjo804]

Heat warnings everywhere here too I got called out yesterday for cutting grass to add to the chicken run.. It keeps the dirt under cooler and gives them an activity.

 

[Soon2BChixMom]

 

[Perris]

So my broody Maria seems to be keeping her #1 hen status despite spending almost all day on the nest. She certainly dominated everyone else at the feeder this morning, and told the roo what's what, and then after a quick drink and a 10 min dust bath, went back to the nest. She's a real bossy boots!

 

[igorsMistress]

So my broody Maria seems to be keeping her #1 hen status despite spending almost all day on the nest. She certainly dominated everyone else at the feeder this morning, and told the roo what's what, and then after a quick drink and a 10 min dust bath, went back to the nest. She's a real bossy boots!

Good for Ms. Bossy Boots!

 

[aart]

So my broody Maria seems to be keeping her #1 hen status despite spending almost all day on the nest. She certainly dominated everyone else at the feeder this morning, and told the roo what's what, and then after a quick drink and a 10 min dust bath, went back to the nest. She's a real bossy boots!

Broodies are typically pretty fierce.
My first broody was a middle-low in status prior to hatching, when she brought her chicks into the flock she had 3 ferocious and bloody fights with other hens. She gained some confidence with those and was a rather bullyish from then on out, relishing in her new 'skills' and status.

 

[igorsMistress]

I turned the fan on in the coop yesterday afternoon, probably won't get turned off for a while now. I'm happy I took the few days to let it sit in the coop without running. No issues with the gang going to roost. This morning it was 78* in there. I have it on low but I I can feel a gentle breeze coming through the pop door at the opposite end.

Hubs is attaching shade cloth to the door now, it'll be a little darker and hopefully stay a little cooler too.

I candled the blue eggs inside a dark closet. Still couldn't tell what was happening in them so I put them back. Will candle the brown ones with Aiden tonight.

Little bit worried next weeks temps will be too high and kill the one I'm sure was viable day 7. Experimenting with options today but have to wait until it's late afternoon.

 

[aart]

Little bit worried next weeks temps will be too high and kill the one I'm sure was viable day 7. Experimenting with options today but have to wait until it's late afternoon.

The temp under the hen will stay the same(I think) her feathers insulate from the ambient temps.

 

[igorsMistress]

Forgot to mention the incubator is at 100* and 46% humidity. I'm wondering if I should take egg #2 and put it in there? Then I could be fairly certain she'd get a chick in the end and break. This is insane. I need the shade cloth and fan anyway, but

 

[igorsMistress]

@BlueBaby

I'm bringing in egg 2 and a cream legbar egg and putting in the incubator today.

 

[BlueBaby]

Ok, and just to let you know @igorsMistress I did a quick early candle of 8 of the eggs in my incubator last night. I've done this before, so I know what to look for. I'm happy with the results so far. You should get chick's. I know that you are going to candle your's again tonight with Aiden. Try doing it with him as described here, and look at the one that is the day that you are currently on to compare:

https://www.backyardchickens.com/articles/development-of-a-chicken-embryo-day-by-day.72537/