We've got a broody! Now what?

[Phisch]

One of our hens has gone broody and started about four days ago. Today, I took some of the eggs under her because there were 17 of them! I let her keep 10 and marked them so we know which are new. I'm sure the other hens will still insist on laying in the same box because it seems to be a tough habit to break!

I just want to be sure that she'll be ok. In the coop, she has access to food and water (and in the afternoons we sneak her some meal worms without the others knowing). She'll be fine, right?

We didn't candle any of the eggs because we aren't too concerned. With the other 10 hens, we are sure to get the eggs we need. But right now, she's in a milk crate lined with straw. How do we handle things once she hatches some/any? How do we transition things so the babies can get in and out? Is it as simple as moving the crate and tipping it on its side?

 

[Wezdin]

Hiya, The eggs are fertilized, right? as for the bin she is in i would put it on its side. It is also a good idea to candle so you can throw out any quitters so they don't explode on her.

 

[Wezdin]

I would also section her off so that the eggs don't get crushed by the other hens wanting to lay in that box.

 

[cleoandtheflock]

She will be alright
They go off the nest twice a day to eat and drink and do a huge smelly broody poop

Try to leave the eggs alone and let her sit on them
When they hatch
you will need to change all the feed to chick starter crumbles for 8 weeks
And keep a chick waterer out for then to drink from

 

[Phisch]

Hiya, The eggs are fertilized, right? as for the bin she is in i would put it on its side. It is also a good idea to candle so you can throw out any quitters so they don't explode on her.

Explode?! Never thought of that! It’s only beeen a few days so I’ll try in a couple more days. If the white bullseye is any indication, then I would say 80% of our eggs are fertilized. I just can’t see it with a flashlight, not very well.

Should I just mover her out and adjust the crate then put her back? I didn’t think it was that simple and I like it!

I would also section her off so that the eggs don't get crushed by the other hens wanting to lay in that box.

I’m hoping that flipping the crate will discourage the others. I’m not sure at the moment how to section her off. They didn’t like laying in them when the crates were on their side. They’re very particular girls. Identical crates next to I, totally empty, yet they prefer the occupied one. Go figure!

 

[Phisch]

She will be alright
They go off the nest twice a day to eat and drink and do a huge smelly broody poop m

That explains some things on the ground!

Try to leave the eggs alone and let her sit on them
When they hatch
you will need to change all the feed to chick starter crumbles for 8 weeks
And keep a chick waterer out for then to drink from

I’ve left her some eggs but plan to remove the unmarked ones from here on out. We definitely plan to make sure the little ones have easy access to food and water

 

[cleoandtheflock]

What breeds will the chicks be?

 

[Phisch]

What breeds will the chicks be?

Dad is, as far as we know, a gold-laced wyandotte. The moms are easter eggers and buff orpingtons. Most of the eggs I let her keep are easter eggers. Not sure what color eggs we get to have!

 

[aart]

If the white bullseye is any indication, then I would say 80% of our eggs are fertilized. I just can’t see it with a flashlight, not very well.

Nope, can't see the bullseye by candling. Candle the eggs on day & to look for veining. Have you candled before?

That explains some things on the ground!

I’ve left her some eggs but plan to remove the unmarked ones from here on out.

There ya go!
Might put some fake eggs in the other nests to lure/bait the hens to use those nests.
Might also add another crate, depending on how many you have available vs how many non-broody hens.

 

[Phisch]

Nope, can't see the bullseye by candling. Candle the eggs on day & to look for veining. Have you candled before?

Tried once or twice to candle eggs but didn't see diddly squat. I'm guessing a little more development is needed and the white spot is too hard to, well, spot, forgive the pun.

Did you mean wait until day 7?