What to do now?

[brijay2]

We purchased some fertile eggs and we were going to place them in an incubator. Then we noticed an add on craigslist that someone had two broody hens for sale. We purchased these two sisters and placed them in a coop by themselves with two nests and the eggs. At first they were both taking turns sitting on the eggs and now both appear to ignore them. It is day 7 and we decided to move them and the nest into the larger coop (better nesting areas) and they both seem to be ignoring the eggs. Should we give up or is this normal? Are they broody or not? Could these eggs still hatch? They have not laid any eggs in the last week (both @ 18mos.) .

 

[onthespot]

moving hens can make them un broody. Moving them again will almost guarantee it. I would buy an incubator and just go with plan B. They will not lay for a few weeks probably.

 

[SangaChicken]

Moving them killed the broodiness. Candle the eggs, if they've been in there that long, if the eggs are good there should be some veining. Anything veining up, incubate it, anything not... well, I would incubate those too! But really, you should be able to see SOME development. Good luck and keep us updated!

 

[brijay2]

By the time I got home from work today there were only 3 eggs left and two of them had small cracks. I went out and got the Led Lenser from Home Depot (someone suggested in their post on brown eggs) and I could see veining in all three and the embryo (which appeared to be moving/heartbeat/something) in the non-cracked one. My incubator won't be ready until tomorrow. So tonight I have the lone egg in a box with a light and small amt. of water and a thermometer and hygrometer. If this one survives it will hatch around the 10th of July. Here's hoping!!!!!!! It was great to see that there had been development. I feel like a pregnant Mom

 

[Mahonri]

If it didn't get so HOT outside you wouldn't have to worry about warming it up during the day.

 

[brijay2]

I candled my one lone egg again tonight-day 8 and the veins are more prominent and I could see the embryo moving around..... It was so cool and now my incubator is up and running. My new Led flashlight is like a chicken ultrasound