Very Disappointed and Sad

[Peppercorngal]

I have a broody Black Jersey Giant hen. A big girl. She sat on her egg for the 21 days and yesterday it hatched! The sad part is that she didn't seem to realize what was going on right under her. I checked and the chick was almost out of the shell. Two hours later I went to check and the chick was dead, squished like a pancake. She sat on it and smashed it. The chirping, hatching, etc. made no impact on her, she is actually still sitting in the empty nest this morning. No question here, just sorry this hen is so dumb, and I am sad for the chick that never had a chance. We planned to name it "Freedom" for the holiday.

 

[The_Patriot5150]

I’m so sorry. I know exactly how you feel. My main broody hen crushed an egg on day 19 a few days ago and I felt so bad and ended up blaming myself for some reason. The broody was a Brahma and she was a big girl, and sometimes stuff happens with a bird that big. So sorry about Freedom.

 

[nchls school]

I have a broody Black Jersey Giant hen. A big girl. She sat on her egg for the 21 days and yesterday it hatched! The sad part is that she didn't seem to realize what was going on right under her. I checked and the chick was almost out of the shell. Two hours later I went to check and the chick was dead, squished like a pancake. She sat on it and smashed it. The chirping, hatching, etc. made no impact on her, she is actually still sitting in the empty nest this morning. No question here, just sorry this hen is so dumb, and I am sad for the chick that never had a chance. We planned to name it "Freedom" for the holiday.

This is a common problem when using large hens to brood eggs. The hen is probably no dumber than any other chicken, but she is working with a handicap; her size. This can be overcome, to some extent, by placing dummy eggs with the real eggs. The dummy eggs will hold her body up off the chicks when they hatch. Even giving the hen several eggs will work better as they won't all hatch at the same time, but at some point they may all hatch and then... Chicks are pretty weak right after hatching. Later, as they become stronger, they will move to safer areas under the hen.

While not recommended, if the hen is in good condition, you might want to give her another chance at motherhood by giving her another egg or so with dummy eggs.

 

[Peppercorngal]

I’m so sorry. I know exactly how you feel. My main broody hen crushed an egg on day 19 a few days ago and I felt so bad and ended up blaming myself for some reason. The broody was a Brahma and she was a big girl, and sometimes stuff happens with a bird that big. So sorry about Freedom.

Thanks. You know when stuff like this happens you always think you are the only one that it's ever happened to. Good to know that bad luck is not just limited to me! Not that I want anyone else to have bad luck, mind you. Thanks for sharing, you know it wasn't your fault don't you?

 

[cluckmecoop7]

I'm very sorry.

 

[Sapphire Sebright]

I'm sorry about your chick. Some broodies just don't know what they're doing, it seems.

 

[Peppercorngal]

This is a common problem when using large hens to brood eggs. The hen is probably no dumber than any other chicken, but she is working with a handicap; her size. This can be overcome, to some extent, by placing dummy eggs with the real eggs. The dummy eggs will hold her body up off the chicks when they hatch. Even giving the hen several eggs will work better as they won't all hatch at the same time, but at some point they may all hatch and then... Chicks are pretty weak right after hatching. Later, as they become stronger, they will move to safer areas under the hen.

While not recommended, if the hen is in good condition, you might want to give her another chance at motherhood by giving her another egg or so with dummy eggs.

Oh! What a good idea! I actually do have some fake eggs. I'll check and see if she still is in the nest and broody and may give her another chance. Thank you!

 

[Peppercorngal]

I'm sorry about your chick. Some broodies just don't know what they're doing, it seems.

My biggest problem before this was the broody hen would jump from nest to nest and sit on the nest with the most eggs in it. Until, that is, I would come collecting the eggs! I actually have two more broody hens, one's egg should hatch on Tuesday. I'm keeping my fingers crossed for her, she is my Sadie, my only speckled Sussex.

 

[The_Patriot5150]

Thanks. You know when stuff like this happens you always think you are the only one that it's ever happened to. Good to know that bad luck is not just limited to me! Not that I want anyone else to have bad luck, mind you. Thanks for sharing, you know it wasn't your fault don't you?

Oh, I know it wasn’t my fault. It was just a spur of the moment kind of thing, with all these emotions going on because no one likes to see a perfectly healthy looking chick die, 2 days before the date it was suppose to hatch. But, that is the risk you take when you use a broody and learned that not everything goes perfectly to plan. Thank you for your concern.

 

[Starburst]

I have a broody Black Jersey Giant hen. A big girl. She sat on her egg for the 21 days and yesterday it hatched! The sad part is that she didn't seem to realize what was going on right under her. I checked and the chick was almost out of the shell. Two hours later I went to check and the chick was dead, squished like a pancake. She sat on it and smashed it. The chirping, hatching, etc. made no impact on her, she is actually still sitting in the empty nest this morning. No question here, just sorry this hen is so dumb, and I am sad for the chick that never had a chance. We planned to name it "Freedom" for the holiday.

Oh, I'm so sorry you lost your chick! Sending you a hug