Unsuccessful little hen "fortified" with almost hatching eggs....

[zowieyellowflame]

Hello, I have an unexperienced hen that allowed others to come in and stomp over things, resulted in many broken eggs. Then once she mistaken another nest for her own and her eggs became cold. They died. Today is day 24, her only 2 left were no longer living.
Luckily I have a local chicken breeder and they let me buy 6 black breasted red phoenix eggs that are just 1-2 days from hatching. I know this is during the time they should not be moved, but I arrived at the farm with a towel "nest" with a base of a warmed miracle bag, not too hot and covered with more towels and I booted it home... 12 min drive. I took the other eggs out and put these eggs in under the hen. So far so good. I am concerned for the emotional well being of my hen and i thought she would like this. Wish me (her) luck!

 

[Toast n Jelly]

Maybe I read your post too quickly...did you mention moving her to a private and secure place of her own? Nice and quiet so that she can focus on her job? If not, please go ahead and do that. Even a large dog cage will do if you put cardboard around the bottom so that the chicks will not escape. Good luck!

 

[zowieyellowflame]

Well, she is in the same nesting box but I have since build a tiny run around the box for her and the chicks safety. Thanks!!!!

 

[BantamHeart]

ahhhh...that is the sweetest thing!!! I'm so happy for your little hopefully soon to be mommy. I watched my Amelia sit and turn many an egg knowing they wouldn't hatch (no rooster) I always felt very sorry for her knowing she would have been such a good mommy. I can't wait to see pictures of your mommy and babies

 

[MuranoFarms]

Oh please hatch baby chickies!!!!

 

[loopy12]

I did the same last year for my buff orpington - someone gave me 6 eggs that were due in the next 24 hours. I took them home in a towel. By the time I got home with them two had already pipped. One of those pips zipped and died in the egg - I didn't have the experience at the time to know but now think it got shrink wrapped. The other pip hatched fine and another pipped and hatched the next day. Both the chicks are fine healthy roosters today...(the other 3 eggs were clear it turned out)...so you have every chance of making your little hen a very happy mother very shortly

Good luck!

 

[zowieyellowflame]

There is a pip this morning! The hen got off the nest to get food and stretch so I got to see! I don't hear peeps or anything though.
I am worried about shrink wrap..... I guess there is a good possibility with moving them so close to hatching date. One good thing though, it has been raining for days to the humidity is high. Anyways, fingers crossed!!!

 

[hencackle]

Why not just graft hatched chicks onto the broody? That's what I do and it works very nicely.

 

[jrleader99]

I had a similar occurance this spring with an EE that had set on 30+ eggs. All turned bad on her because she could not keep all of them warm enough. When she was down to the last few eggs ChickieKeeta found me 4 day old RIR chicks. Momma hen took to them very well and protected them. They are now about 6 1/2 weeks old, all growing and spending time in the coop in a dog crate.

I just wanted to let you know that if you are thinking of placing some chicks under your broody - it does work. Just do it carefully and watch her for some time after putting them in there. Our momma hen pecked at the little guys a couple of times then settled in well.

 

[chicks4kids]

Good luck on your hatch! I hope she does it! She'll be sooo happy!