Question about mites and eggs about to hatch

[Sunset Ranch]

i have a broody hen that is sitting on fake eggs and a friend gave me eggs due to hatch any day now. Her hen just hatched out 3 chicks, got off the nest and abandoned the other 6 eggs. The hen probably got up because she has mites. . My question is, after wiping off the eggs, candling them to be sure they are viable, are they safe to put under my broody? I do not want her to get mites so for now I have the eggs in the incubator. Any insight will be greatly appreciated!

 

[cavemanrich]

I am not an expert on mites but do understand your concern. You suspect that there may be mite eggs clinging to the shells. Your safest option would be to hatch them in the incubator and then slip them under your hen. This is my opinion, I have read many postings of people doing just such.

WISHING YOU BEST

 

[Sunset Ranch]

Hi caveman,

Yes, that is my concern. I've tried putting chicks a few days old under her but she didn't bond with them. I have been able to do that with other hens but this one is a first timer. I'm wondering if she felt the eggs hatching under her, she would then accept the babies. If I can safely clean the shells with a damp tissue (without compromising them) then letting her hatch them is my first choice. But if I don't get a good answer before they hatch, I'll just try again with brand new babies and hope she'll take them.

Thanks for replying!

 

[darkbluespace]

Did your friend know there were mites on her hen? Hens often give up on eggs once some of their chicks are hatched so I wouldn't suspect mites unless she saw them.

I use Diatomaceous earth (DE) in my broody hen's nests to combat mites though I haven't had any this Summer. I would dust the eggs with DE if there were mites on them or wipe them down really well.