Allotment Gardening Advice Help Chat

Poultry and Pets => The Hen House => Topic started by: Gary Collier on December 01, 2009, 13:47

Title: How long to leave eggs under the broody bird
Post by: Gary Collier on December 01, 2009, 13:47
 :wub:
My broody hen has now hatched 2 of the 6 eggs we placed under her.  It was 21 days last Wed and the 2 chicks had hatched by the Thursday.

She is still sitting on the other eggs but I'm sure they would have hatched now if they were going to?  Do I just leave the eggs under her or should I take them out as its now been 26 days.....?

Also is there any truth that the cockerals don't survive slightly lower temperatures during incubation, so will my 2 chooks have more chance of being hens?????

Cheers,
Gary
Title: Re: How long to leave eggs under the broody bird
Post by: Caralou on December 01, 2009, 13:56
Normally the broody will know if the ones under her are not going to hatch - my girl last year kicked one out and got up when the last one clearly wasnt hatching after three days. However, if this is her first hatch she may sit pretty longer than necessary even if they are duds. Are there and signs of hatching in the remaining eggs at all - pipping? Maybe a quick candling of them, but I suspect that they are not going to hatch now as such a big gap between. I also think it may be time to remove them from under her and let her concentrate on rearing the two that hatched out. Also, unless strong of heart dont crack the eggs open as I made this mistake and found it a bit distressing seeing the chicks that had started to develop but not finished - but Im a big softie and know some people do like to check to see where it went wrong.
Title: Re: How long to leave eggs under the broody bird
Post by: LittleRedHen on December 01, 2009, 15:04
My broody hen last summer, hatched out three at 21 days and then chucked out an egg a day for three more days.  They really do know when the eggs are duds! ;)
Title: Re: How long to leave eggs under the broody bird
Post by: Gary Collier on December 01, 2009, 20:49
 :mellow:
I've just been out to check the eggs and change the straw in her nest box as it was stinking where I haven't touched it since day 18.  I candled the eggs from what I have read and there didn't appear to be anything within other than big air gaps.
No pipping or anything at all.

While I was changing the straw she was happy to move to the other nest box so guess she's over it now.
Chooks came out for some crumb and so did mum so look like she can now concentrate on raising the young.  Think I'll open up the house tomorrow morning so mum can stretch her legs and the chicks can get a bit of fresh air if they want.
Title: Re: How long to leave eggs under the broody bird
Post by: hillfooter on December 02, 2009, 02:13
If they all went under her at the same time and it's now 26 days you are safe in assuming they aren't going to hatch now.  It's not a good idea that you leave them as they may explode in a smelly infectious mess if bacteria is growing in them.

regards
HF