Question: Hatching my first eggs under a broody....

[shenderson]

This is my first shot at hatching a clutch under a broody. I know I have made several mistakes and will hopefully do better next time. My broody is a Silkie about 9 months old. She is sitting on 9 eggs and we are on Day 8. She is in a small dog crate in one of our goat stalls. Each night latch the door (in case of predators) and each morning open it for her to have access to food and water. She usually comes right out and drinks/eats for 15 minutes and goes back to brooding. During this time I usually check the nest and eggs. Also during this time if I'm not watching closely one of our other hens will go in and sit on the nest and lay an egg. I have the original eggs marked so I always count the eggs and remove any new ones. This morning when I went to remove the eggs (I had two new ones) I realized they were covered in goo. It seems that one of the original eggs has exploded or was broken by the nest intruders. There was not a bad smell so I am assuming the latter. My question is since the other eggs are covered in this goo should I:

1.) wash them off and change the straw bedding
2.) leave them alone
3.) or is there something else I need to do

I hope to hatch all my future chicks under my own broodies and I already know some things I will do differently next time but I would really appreciate any advice or help on this subject.

Thanks,

Sandy

 

[One Acre Wonder Farm]

I've never had this happen, so no advice, but here's a bump for you

 

[pen1124]

you really shouldnt was them off because then the invisable c over that is over the eggs to prevent bacteria from comming in can come off. You should just take a dry cloth or paper towel and rub the egg gently. Best of luck

 

[panner123]

The only thing I can add to pen1124 is change the straw if it is really messy. you can keep the other hens out by closing the door to the stall.
Actually, you can just leave her in there with food and water of her own. She doesn't need a lot of room right now, but she does need to be safe from the other hens.

 

[Serrin]

Right from the start, I'm going to tell you that all of my knowledge (which is very limited) comes second hand through BYC as I've never incubated eggs, either via natural methods, nor through incubators. What I'm going to give you here is strictly an opinion after thinking your situation over for a bit.

Your dilemma is to wash or not to wash. While the argument not to wash is a valid one, and an opinion that should be taken into consideration, my thought on the matter is this: If the "goo" is sufficiently thick, would it not pose a certain threat to the natural breathing of the egg? There has to be a certain level of exchange of gasses within the egg, and if it is coated too thickly with the "goo", then said egg(s) won't be able to breathe properly.

I have heard of folks who lightly wash their eggs prior to placing them in the incubator, due usually to feces on the surface of the eggs. But then those eggs are going into what is, by and large, a sterile environment for the next 21 days or so. A natural nest, tended by a natural chicken is anything but sterile! I could certainly see where removal of that natural barrier to contamination would be of serious concern to someone using a broody to hatch out their eggs.

So, that brings me to an opinion: If it were me, I think I'd clean half of the number of eggs I had and hope for the best, and leave the other half untouched. I would also clean up the nest box as best as possible, such as to minimize the impact on both broody and eggs. My final course of action would be to limit the access that the other hens have to my broody's environment. Maybe enclose her stall with chicken wire to keep everyone else out of there? She'd probably appreciate the added peace and quiet right now.

With any luck, Speckledhen or Kathyinmo will see this thread and respond to your problem. Either of those two fine ladies have one of the largest pools of wisdom and knowledge I know of.

Good luck. I hope they all hatch into healthy bouncing chickies! Keep us updated and let us know how it goes.

 

[Dipsy Doodle Doo]

Hi! The broken egg is probably from one of the 'other hens' messing around in the broody hen nest box.
Easiest fix is to block the 'other hens' access.
I would wipe what of the goo is wipe-able from the eggs and not fret about the rest. In the process of the hen turning the eggs in the nest --- what you can't wipe off will be rubbed off between now and hatch-time.
Good luck!

Lisa

 

[shenderson]

Thanks for the advice everyone. I ended up just letting it be and deciding that nature will have to take it's course.

Next time I will build a totally separate brood box. I will keep you posted!