Poop all over hatching eggs - what to do??

[jennifer0224]

We have a first time broody who has been sitting on 8 eggs for the last 22 days. Three have hatched. I keep checking on her, and she is still insistent on sitting in her broody box. I just checked on her again and I think she has had one of her massive poops - but it is all over the rest of the eggs, stuck on the shells and just is a huge smelly mess. What should I do? These eggs could still be hatching and may even be in the process of breaking through - couldn't washing them risk that? I'm not sure what to do!

 

[nuthatched]

Wipe them off with a warm, wet paper towel.

 

[LaFleche]

And prepare a new and fresh nest for the broody to hatch the remaining eggs.

 

[BDutch]

Yes. ^^^

I had poop in one nest too. Because I had two nests and the girls were switching nest quite often, I just cleaned out the dirty nest, wiped the poo off. And laid all eggs in the clean nest. No issues followed. Had a good hatch (9 out of 11).

 

[jennifer0224]

Wipe them off with a warm, wet paper towel.

Okay, I just did and though i was so careful, I cracked one Just a small Crack (maybe it was already close to hatching?). I don't hear anything but I do see a chick in there, moving up and down with each breath. I cleaned out the box, added fresh straw, and just stuck the egg back under her

 

[Oob Child]

Okay, I just did and though i was so careful, I cracked one Just a small Crack (maybe it was already close to hatching?). I don't hear anything but I do see a chick in there, moving up and down with each breath. I cleaned out the box, added fresh straw, and just stuck the egg back under her

Keep us updated!

 

[nuthatched]

Okay, I just did and though i was so careful, I cracked one Just a small Crack (maybe it was already close to hatching?). I don't hear anything but I do see a chick in there, moving up and down with each breath. I cleaned out the box, added fresh straw, and just stuck the egg back under her

I don't think you did it. Just be patient and hope for the best.

 

[jennifer0224]

As of this momoing, both that egg and another are open but nothing is coming out The chicks inside do not appear to be moving or breathing, but the hen is still very much wanting to sit on them and the other two unhatched eggs. I think the three chicks that hatched is all we will get, but I'm just leaving them alone for today.

Keep us updated!