What Has My Broody Done?

[Chicky Tocks]

Today I went out to check on the broodies. I have two of them that swap off five eggs.

I only found four eggs...and they were sticky. No shell, no baby, nothing...just four sticky eggs.

 

[Chicky Tocks]

Bump

 

[luvmychicknkids]

My guess is, the egg got stepped on in the "swap" a little too hard, broke, and was subsequently consumed. What day are they on?

 

[Chicky Tocks]

They're due 7/6 - 15th day.

 

[luvmychicknkids]

Oh dear....yeah, they are pretty far along. Have you been candling? Is it possible this one wasn't developing at all? I mean, I know they will eat almost anything, but I am just kinda hoping it was just a non-developing egg.

 

[Chicky Tocks]

They were all five developing wonderfully. I've candled twice now...day 7 and day 12. I'll be candling again tonight for sure. I suppose that I need to take a wet washclothe and try to get the sticky off. It could have been any chicken that did it. The broody is in a box with another broody and I know that one other hen came in and laid her egg today. I remove them everyday...the hatching eggs are marked.

Gosh..I hate to think it for all the hard work sitting on these eggs, but I'm wondering if I should heat up the bator.