Problem with Broody Hen

[NCHunter2]

Hello all. Last year I purchased 6 Rhoade Island Reds (5 Hens, 1 Rooster) for my sons ages 4 and 5. Hoping to keep them interested in things outside and teach a little responsibility contrary to most of today's youth. Both have wanted chicks for sometime. I was told by several people that RIR's wouldn't go broody. I contemplated an incubator but haven't broke down yet. Anyway, I recently had one hen start sitting. She was intrupted twice by snakes. She finally made it a full 21 days on a full clutch of eggs. The eggs didnt hatch. I let her sit two extra days and then removed her. Upon cracking the eggs the yolks were greenish, and black and smelt awful. I had noticed a slight smell a few days earlier around the hen house but mistakenly accounted it to dead mice due to some poisen I put out earlier in the week. The chickens haven't had access to the poisen so I think that is irrevelant. What could have cause these eggs to come out rottenish? What could I do to prevent this? I've been around chickens my entire life and have never experienced anything like this. I've searched and found similar instances but nothing exact to what I have. I also had another hen sit for 13 days then abandon. Her eggs looked healthy and looked to be developing correctly prior to her leaving. Any help would be greatly appreciated as I have two heart broken little boys and no good explanation.

 

[troy4]

Well green may be a rotten egg.

 

[howfunkyisurchicken]

It could have been any number of things that caused the failed hatch, but they most certainly sound rotten!
What were your hens sitting conditions? Did you separate her, or allow her to sit in where the flock had access to her? If it was the latter, she may have been bothered to much to be successful. The other hens may have laid their eggs in her nest, causing them to not be incubated properly. Or she could have been bullied of the nest. Or, you might even chalk it up to an inexperienced first time mom fail.
My broodies do all of their business in the coop with the rest of the flock. The hens higher up in the pecking order sit in the nest boxes and they're left to brood in peace. The lower ranking hens don't seem to have the luxury of peace, so they're moved to a dog crate but still in the coop. My first time sitters are moved as well, because I never know what to expect with them. Not all broody hens are good moms.

Sorry about the failed hatches. It took me and my hens a few tries before we finally had success when I first got my chickens, and it was so worth it when we finally got our first homegrown chick! Better luck next time