What is going on here? Mating confusion.

[aart]

Yeah, they don't like change much, but if serious about setting they settle back down pretty quick.
Just keep an eye on her, checking a few times day to make sure she stays setting.

I would leave her in there for a couple days to get really settled in, then maybe open the door and see what happens.
Looks like there's lots of room in the crate for her to stretch her legs and poop, that's great.
Is the crate right in the coop, so she can still see her flock mates and visa versa?

 

[Henrybetta]

Yes, I tucked the crate in a corner between the perch and nesting boxes and covered the top so they can't fly up and bother her and poop on her but they can still see each other through 2 of the sides.

 

[aart]

Yes, I tucked the crate in a corner between the perch and nesting boxes and covered the top so they can't fly up and bother her and poop on her but they can still see each other through 2 of the sides.

Sounds prefect!

 

[Henrybetta]

So I know this is way off my original topic, but I never ended up candling the eggs. She was sitting on 5 eggs, from 5 different hens and 2 fake eggs. She kicked a fake egg out early on, and just now I went in the coop and there was a broken egg she had moved out from under her and they are definitely fertile because there was a baby chick very well formed inside. Should I worry about the remaining eggs? It seems like she is not being terribly gentle if she gas already broken one and kicked one out. They *should* hatch on Sunday, I believe. Also, is it a bad idea to leave a fake egg under her? There is one still there.

 

[aart]

So I know this is way off my original topic, but I never ended up candling the eggs. She was sitting on 5 eggs, from 5 different hens and 2 fake eggs. She kicked a fake egg out early on, and just now I went in the coop and there was a broken egg she had moved out from under her and they are definitely fertile because there was a baby chick very well formed inside. Should I worry about the remaining eggs? It seems like she is not being terribly gentle if she gas already broken one and kicked one out. They *should* hatch on Sunday, I believe. Also, is it a bad idea to leave a fake egg under her? There is one still there.

Ooo, ouch, bummer....might have been the chick was dead....
.....or she may not be a good mama, sometimes they freak out when internal pips and cheeping starts.

I'd remove the fake egg and just wait out the others....either it will work out or it won't.
I'd keep a close eye on her if you can do it without disturbing her.

If you have an incubator, you could fire it up and if she breaks another egg take the remaining ones to the bator.
But you may have to raise the chicks in a brooder if she won't take them back.

Could also post the situation in the broody hen thread to get much more sage advice than mine.

 

[Henrybetta]

Ooo, ouch, bummer....might have been the chick was dead....
.....or she may not be a good mama, sometimes they freak out when internal pips and cheeping starts.

I'd remove the fake egg and just wait out the others....either it will work out or it won't.
I'd keep a close eye on her if you can do it without disturbing her.

If you have an incubator, you could fire it up and if she breaks another egg take the remaining ones to the bator.
But you may have to raise the chicks in a brooder if she won't take them back.

Could also post the situation in the broody hen thread to get much more sage advice than mine.

Thank you so much for all your advice. I will probably post there also in case they have anything different to say. I don't have a incubator yet, I was talking about getting one soon when she went broody. I find it so crazy to think that she could be bad momma, although I suppose nature is not perfect.

Fingers crossed it was something else and not bad instincts on her part. We are really hoping to see a momma raise some babies. I will try and peek my head in more often. Thank you again!

 

[Henrybetta]

All 4 remaining eggs hatched! Thanks so much for all your help!

 

[Henrybetta]

And also back to the original topic, I witnessed my rooster doing his business for the first time yesterday. (Through a window while I was in the house.) Although he has already proved to me he was doing that part of his job! Haha! I guess he's just more private then my other roo's have been in the past.