Please help! Hen died suddenly, have fertile eggs!

[konatreehugger]

Please help. My pet hen died suddenly this morning. She was sitting on five (we believe) to be fertile eggs. She started sitting on them on the 14th. She was a dear pet, and am really hoping there is some way to keep the chicks. I'm looking for an incubator, but in the meantime, is there anything I can do to keep them warm here at home? I have them in a large plastic box, on the nest with a heating pad underneath... Please, if anyone has any ideas... I'd like to try to have them here at home since we live in such a isolated area....

Tonya

 

[meredithrocks2006]

Many local feed stores have a cheap (but effective) incubator called the Little Giant 9200. It's very inexpensive, around $50, and has pretty easy to follow instructions. I have one, and really the only problem I have with it is the fluctuations in temperature, so you will just have to keep an eye on it.
Worth a shot!

 

[GoldenSparrow]

So sorry about your hen. Let us know what happens with the eggs.

 

[foxypoproxy]

OMG no, not speedy!

I was really rooting for her.
I'm so sorry you lost your pet I know how painful that is.

Your local feed store or tractor supply may have an incubator.
I hope you are able to hatch some babies from those eggs.

 

[tec27]

Build you own incubator out of a cardboard box and light bulb. Really simple.

 

[snooptwomey]

Building one . . .far from easy. if your going to incubate, go get the little giant foam one for like $45 at tractor supply

 

[tec27]

Building one . . .far from easy. if your going to incubate, go get the little giant foam one for like $45 at tractor supply

Cardboard box/styrofoam box, lightbulb, glass from picture frame, thermometer, hygrometer, bowl with water, dimmer switch. Pretty simple.

 

[konatreehugger]

Yeah Foxy, so SAD. She recovered from the pox beautifully, happy and healthy...laying lots of eggs... I finally let her have a boyfriend... And then... SADNESS. She gave me a great year of life. I'm hoping her eggs will hatch. I picked up the Brinsea mini incubator today from Craigslist for 50.00. The eggs are in it, and seem to be happy. I will watch them carefully. The great mystery - what happened to her? Her symptoms included trembling/shivering, lack of energy, watery poo, lack of interest in food... she went from happy to gone in a matter of HOURS. I'm scared to think of what could happen to her chicks! We have centipedes, slugs - but no other critters to worry about... I don't understand it. :-(

I checked my eggs today... I have VEINS! I know it's not fur sure yet... But, I feel like I can have hope now.

 

[macdoogle2]

Good luck with your hatch. So sorry about your hen. Having some fuzz butts running around always helps anyone to feel better! All the same, sorry about the hen.

 

[konatreehugger]

Thanks Mac! I'm hoping for at least one chick... Some people here think I'm strange for missing my hen as much as I do... but when I think of it, I've never had another pet that contributed to my daily life as much as she did... I fed her grain and veggies...bugs... and she gave me daily eggs and cuddles... all my cat gives me is salty looks and hair balls to clean up. ;-)

Aloha!