First Timer Broody Hen Questions
Re: First Timer Broody Hen Questions
I would candle the eggs. See if there is anything going on in them. You should be able to see the chicks moving away from the light. Grab at least a couple and see what's going on. Also, they may have pipped and you just can't see the pip yet.
Let us know. Good luck!
Let us know. Good luck!
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- Farrier1987
- Stringy Old Chicken
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Re: First Timer Broody Hen Questions
What Kenya said.
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Farrier1987. South of Chatham on Lake Erie. Chickens, goats, horse, garden, dog, cat. Worked all over the world. Know a little bit about a lot of things. No incubator, broody hens.
- Jaye
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Re: First Timer Broody Hen Questions
Ditto - what Kenya said. Our Biscuit was hatched four days late too.
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"Until one has loved an animal, part of one's soul remains unawakened" - Anatole France
"Until one has loved an animal, part of one's soul remains unawakened" - Anatole France
- amberalora
- Newly Hatched Chick
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Re: First Timer Broody Hen Questions
Ok good to know! I haven't checked under momma since yesterday at noon (She bites!! lol) but I will look again tonight. Fingers crossed!!
Thank you all!
Thank you all!
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- Killerbunny
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Re: First Timer Broody Hen Questions
Also listen carefully. When they start to pip they cheep to Mum before they hatch.
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Beltsville Small White turkeys.
Mutt chickens for eggs
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- amberalora
- Newly Hatched Chick
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- amberalora
- Newly Hatched Chick
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- Joined: Thu Jan 24, 2019 4:48 pm
- Location: Stratford
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Re: First Timer Broody Hen Questions
So, we didn't have a hatch. It's been 28 days now, so I am going to remove the eggs today. I'm disappointed, but it is what it is.
Would you try again with fresh eggs or is that too much sitting for momma hen?
Would you try again with fresh eggs or is that too much sitting for momma hen?
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- Jaye
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Re: First Timer Broody Hen Questions
It's your call, but if it were me, I definitely wouldn't, with the heat we are having at this time. I wouldn't want to risk the broody hen's health. When broody hens sit, they lose condition and the longer they sit, the higher the risk of them becoming ill, or worse.
I had a very bad experience with letting my broody hen sit for two incubation periods, after none of the eggs that she sat on for the first 25 days hatched. She was attacked by another hen in the last few days before her second clutch was due to hatch, and she abandoned the eggs. Also, I think the experience traumatized her so much that she has never been broody since. And she used to be a serious broody and a great mother to any chicks she raised.
I had a very bad experience with letting my broody hen sit for two incubation periods, after none of the eggs that she sat on for the first 25 days hatched. She was attacked by another hen in the last few days before her second clutch was due to hatch, and she abandoned the eggs. Also, I think the experience traumatized her so much that she has never been broody since. And she used to be a serious broody and a great mother to any chicks she raised.
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RIP Scooby, AKA Awesome Dog. Too well loved to ever be forgotten. "Sometime in June", 2005 - January 24, 2017.
"Until one has loved an animal, part of one's soul remains unawakened" - Anatole France
"Until one has loved an animal, part of one's soul remains unawakened" - Anatole France
- amberalora
- Newly Hatched Chick
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Re: First Timer Broody Hen Questions
Oh no That is sad.
Thanks for the insight. I definitely wouldn't want to risk her health.
She has been in the dog crate for a week and a half now in anticipation that eggs would hatch, to keep the babies safe.
When I take the eggs away, should I just remove the food and water from her crate to encourage her to come out to eat with the others, and leave the door open? Or would you take her out and take the crate away all at once?
Thanks for the insight. I definitely wouldn't want to risk her health.
She has been in the dog crate for a week and a half now in anticipation that eggs would hatch, to keep the babies safe.
When I take the eggs away, should I just remove the food and water from her crate to encourage her to come out to eat with the others, and leave the door open? Or would you take her out and take the crate away all at once?
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