So I have a broody sitting on eggs.....any advice?

[MaryZoe]

WhatAboutBob, that sounds like my coops this year. I have three coops with 2 laying boxes each for about 22-24 hens. Then five of my hens went broody within a week or so of each other, so we only had one laying box for all the rest of the hens! Talk about a logjam! But they managed. Most of them either waited or found another safe place to lay (in the hay-filled corner of our mini-donkey barn). But one silly hen has taken to laying right in the middle of the gravel-filled pathway just outside their coop! I haven't seen her doing so yet, but I keep finding the same chicken's egg right in the middle of the pathway. Guess she just couldn't wait! Fortunately three of the broodies have hatched their bitties, so the rest can lay in peace again!

 

[WhatAboutBob?]

Day 12 today. My broody is resolute in her commitment. She gets off the eggs once a day, either late morning or early afternoon to eat drink and poop. Then she’s back at it.

 

[WhatAboutBob?]

Another update. I was in the coop this afternoon and enticed Miss Annie Yokely off her nest with some black soldierfly larva (her favorite treat). I took advantage and candled the eggs and they are where they should be developmentally. Eyes and Veins were showing up nicely.

 

[bobbi-j]

Another update. I was in the coop this afternoon and enticed Miss Annie Yokely off her nest with some black soldierfly larva (her favorite treat). I took advantage and candled the eggs and they are where they should be developmentally. Eyes and Veins were showing up nicely.

 

[Peeps61]

Day 12 today. My broody is resolute in her commitment. She gets off the eggs once a day, either late morning or early afternoon to eat drink and poop. Then she’s back at it.

Your broody's eggs and the eggs I have in my incubator are on the same day! I have a broody I want to put the chicks with when they hatch.

 

[WhatAboutBob?]

Started setting up an area for the chicks and mom, since the nest box is elevated. I am planning on using the panic room panels I made as a barrier for most of the area.

 

[Peeps61]

Started setting up an area for the chicks and mom, since the nest box is elevated. I am planning on using the panic room panels I made as a barrier for most of the area.View attachment 1333802

Day 18 for me. Lockdown time! When I get home, I'll take the eggs from the turner and place them on the mesh floor, then add the recommended amount of extra water. Last time, I had a chick hatch on day 19 and another on day 20, so I might be surprised tomorrow!

 

[WhatAboutBob?]

LOL! Nothing that serene for me today. Funeral today. Said goodbye to a very dear friend. Came back to the farm and the broody was on another nest and 6 eggs in the broody’s nest! So candling was in order to sort out the new ones and then, move the broody back on her proper eggs. Saw moving chicks while candling, so hopefully all is well!

 

[bobbi-j]

LOL! Nothing that serene for me today. Funeral today. Said goodbye to a very dear friend. Came back to the farm and the broody was on another nest and 6 eggs in the broody’s nest! So candling was in order to sort out the new ones and then, move the broody back on her proper eggs. Saw moving chicks while candling, so hopefully all is well!

Sorry for the loss of your friend.

Are your broody's eggs marked? If not, take a Sharpie and draw a circle around each one of them so you can tell at a glance which are hers and which are donated.

 

[WhatAboutBob?]

Sorry for the loss of your friend.

Are your broody's eggs marked? If not, take a Sharpie and draw a circle around each one of them so you can tell at a glance which are hers and which are donated.

Yes they are marked. With a pencil, but the pencil numbering is mostly rubbed off from her turning the eggs at this point. Today was the first that extras were with the original 4, so I wasn't too worried....