First hatch with a broody!

[cluckmecoop7]

Today is day 16 for hatching two eggs with a broody hen! I can't wait to have little baby chicks again (hopefully)! Well, long story short: I used to have three eggs but on day 12 or 13, egg #3 just...just disappeared. I'm thinking the mother pushed it out of the nest because it was a dud and the other chickens crushed/ate it or maybe a snake. (I hope it wasn't a snake!!!) Besides, I don't think there is any way a snake could get into my coop. So, back to the eggs the will/might hatch:

I am thinking all about names right now....even though I won't be keeping the chicks. I'm afraid I'll get attached to them and not want to give them away/sell them, but I will just try to remember that they WON'T be staying from the start....hopefully. Well, I'm trying to think of names that have the theme of fall, or maybe halloween. A few of the names I like are Pumpkin, Gracie, Spooky, Pretzel, Tansy, and a few others. (Any name suggestions would be welcome!) This is the hen I am using to hatch the eggs. Her name is Dazzle but right now I call her 'Miss Grumpy'. The second pic is before the became broody.

So, all I can do now is check on her, hope, and wait. I will up date this thread every day or so. Wish her/me luck!!

 

[Lazy Gardener]

I've broken a broody several times by removing her from the coop every day. I place her in a tractor, so she's safe from predators. Then, at the end of the day, I escort her to the coop and make sure she gets up on the perch instead of into a nest box. I usually block off ALL the nest boxes every night when I have a broody. In the morning, I snag her up, place her back into the tractor. Rinse and repeat until she's had the desired attitude shift. Takes about 3 - 4 days. I've heard it said: The longer a hen has been broody, the harder it is to break her. So... unless the season and timing are right, it's best to break her as soon as the behavior is noticed.

 

[Beekissed]

Also best not to do broodies in the fall...wrong time of year to have chicks, for sure. A good broody breaking place is essential and I agree with everyone else...get some air and solitude in a broody and it can be as fast as 2 days or as long as 4-5. I don't bother with food...if they are truly broody they won't eat or drink anyway and if they aren't, it will break them much faster if they are hungry and can hear the flock eating without them.

The hen is likely eating her eggs, especially if they are not fertilized. That's natural, as was stated. Not likely to be rats unless your other eggs are disappearing also.

 

[frustratedearthmother]

Also best not to do broodies in the fall...wrong time of year to have chicks, for sure.

Depends on your climate I think. Where I am, fall chicks are desired - especially if hatched by a broody who does all the work. She'll raise 'em up and keep them warm so I don't have to run a brooder - and the pullets will start laying by spring.

 

[Mini Horses]

Are they YOUR hens eggs? The hen appears to be a gold Wyandotte, and your roo is???

Probably not a snake, it would have come back for other two. Plus, a hen will discard a dud, often consume it.

So, somewhere between Sat & Mon we should see pics of chicks

I have a hen broody now. But, not wanting chicks late Nov!

 

[Lazy Gardener]

It's most likely that the broody hen ate the dead egg. It's their natural behavior. They know when an egg dies. Instead of leaving it in the nest to possibly explode and contaminate the viable eggs, she will eat it. This keeps the nest clean and gives her some much needed protein during this stressful time.

 

[Lazy Gardener]

Agreed with Hinotori. Did you ever candle the eggs to see if they are alive? The fact that they are disappearing one at a time points to rat.

 

[Mini Horses]

Could be a rat. Another thought -- the eggs may not have been fertile. Even with hen & roo, at this time of year it is not unusual. Fall, molt, natural for things to lose fertility. It's a cycle.

As to breaking up a hen -- well, you get more air under them. You can cage them without a solid bottom for them to snuggle up. So you have to keep the cage off of the ground...like a rabbit cage, with no board or nest box. Generally takes about 3-4 days. Of course, feed & water her. They can be stubborn. Oh, small wire so she can walk and not get legs falling thru the holes. Throw some fresh grass to her couple times each day as well.

 

[Mini Horses]

It will be exciting for you, I know. So hope the lone egg is viable. Love to watch a hen and chicks! Real teaching there.

FEM -- you bring up a valid point. Some of us have GREAT weather in the "Fall"... you do for things like this. It's cool, not cold, here. Could hatch but, I generally don't let them.

 

[cluckmecoop7]

Thanks for the info guys. The chick should hatch (if its going to hatch) any day from Saturday to Monday. Wish it luck!