OK, so we had our first broody about two weeks ago. Put her in her own sectioned-off area of the coop, plenty of food/water/fresh bedding and sit her on 9 eggs.
I noticed 2 eggs off to the side around day 8 and removed them on day 10 or so. Candled the others and they looked great!
Today (day 14) I went out to collect eggs and she's torn her nest to pieces! Two broken/eaten eggs on the ground outside the nestbox, one broken inside, the remaining four still in the nest but covered with egg mess. She happened to be up & eating at the time I went in otherwise I may not have noticed.
Now, an hour later, she's back to sitting on the remaining 4 eggs but I can't imagine they'll make it as dirty as they are. She *seems* to still be broody despite the egg carnage around her nest.
So what now? Should I give her some more fresh ones and let her try again, maybe with a smaller clutch? Been 3 weeks now since she started showing signs of broodiness, will she last another 3 weeks? Or is she just not meant to be a mother?
Thanks for your help!
I noticed 2 eggs off to the side around day 8 and removed them on day 10 or so. Candled the others and they looked great!
Today (day 14) I went out to collect eggs and she's torn her nest to pieces! Two broken/eaten eggs on the ground outside the nestbox, one broken inside, the remaining four still in the nest but covered with egg mess. She happened to be up & eating at the time I went in otherwise I may not have noticed.
Now, an hour later, she's back to sitting on the remaining 4 eggs but I can't imagine they'll make it as dirty as they are. She *seems* to still be broody despite the egg carnage around her nest.
So what now? Should I give her some more fresh ones and let her try again, maybe with a smaller clutch? Been 3 weeks now since she started showing signs of broodiness, will she last another 3 weeks? Or is she just not meant to be a mother?
Thanks for your help!
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