Spring Broody Chicks (due to hatch)

[Cazook]

First time I've had a broody hen try to hatch eggs, she's been pretty diligent on sitting on them... all 20 or 30 of them (I don't even know at this point, I think another hen has been adding to the pile because the last time I lifted her it was just ridiculous). Also have 7 more in the incubator from another broody that I lifted off an unsecure nest that was abandoned. It's been around 20 days since then, so if things go as they should I'm about to be drowned under a pile of chicks. Figured I'd make a thread for it, since I have no idea what to expect and chick pics are cute. Also I am REALLY hoping the mother hen doesn't reject them and leave me with many chicks to brood myself the spare room is still recovering from the last quail batch I brooded indoors. Cross your fingers for me folks.

On left is Bato, who has been sitting the last 20 days. On the right is Kalimera who just joined in today, and who I think has been 'helpfully' adding to the egg pile ¬_¬

 

[PippinTheChicken]

https://www.backyardchickens.com/th...long-with-pippin.1465222/page-4#post-24469799

Join my broody hatch a long

 

[DobieLover]

First time I've had a broody hen try to hatch eggs, she's been pretty diligent on sitting on them... all 20 or 30 of them (I don't even know at this point, I think another hen has been adding to the pile because the last time I lifted her it was just ridiculous). Also have 7 more in the incubator from another broody that I lifted off an unsecure nest that was abandoned. It's been around 20 days since then, so if things go as they should I'm about to be drowned under a pile of chicks. Figured I'd make a thread for it, since I have no idea what to expect and chick pics are cute. Also I am REALLY hoping the mother hen doesn't reject them and leave me with many chicks to brood myself the spare room is still recovering from the last quail batch I brooded indoors. Cross your fingers for me folks.


View attachment 2691032

On left is Bato, who has been sitting the last 20 days. On the right is Kalimera who just joined in today, and who I think has been 'helpfully' adding to the egg pile ¬_¬

The eggs added late and staggered to the clutch is an issue. The mother will generally leave the nest with her brood within 48 hrs or so of the first chick hatching, abandoning any unhatched eggs. This is why it's so important to mark the eggs you give the hen to hatch and remove any errant eggs that are laid in her nest every day.
The second hen in the nest is another problem. The mother or second hen may injure or kill hatching or hatched chicks once things get started.

 

[Cazook]

The eggs added late and staggered to the clutch is an issue. The mother will generally leave the nest with her brood within 48 hrs or so of the first chick hatching, abandoning any unhatched eggs. This is why it's so important to mark the eggs you give the hen to hatch and remove any errant eggs that are laid in her nest every day.
The second hen in the nest is another problem. The mother or second hen may injure or kill hatching or hatched chicks once things get started.

She just left. Definitely just been laying eggs there lol. Once she abandons the nest I guess I'll take a look at them and maybe deal with the ones that are nearly developed. The point was kinda to not have to brood them myself though. If this happens again I'll definitely mark them.

 

[Cazook]

well... she doesn't try to peck it. hopefully this means she is accepting the chick? or maybe too polite to refuse, lol

 

[LadyAchee]

View attachment 2696468

well... she doesn't try to peck it. hopefully this means she is accepting the chick? or maybe too polite to refuse, lol

What kind of chick is that?

 

[Cazook]

What kind of chick is that?

cream legbar/pavlovskaya cross

 

[Cazook]

she is looking quite proud today