Allotment Gardening Advice Help Chat
Poultry and Pets => The Hen House => Topic started by: rosie14 on August 15, 2011, 11:39
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Hi I set the eggs under our broody on evening of the 26th of July. I am thinking the evening of the 16th onwards we will hopefully get at least one chick is that right?
2 have been broken so we have 4 left, only 2 I think are possibly viable after candling them anyway so here's hoping for at least one.
If none hatch (I'll give them extra time anyway) but how will it affect my hen? Thanks
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Yes, from tomorow evening you can expect then to start hatching.
However, please don't be tempted to go and peak every couple of hours. Leave the hen alone until Thursday morning (You can put a chick waterer and a saucer of chick crumbs in with the hen)
You could expect the eggs to hatch up until about Sunday, so don't give up hope before then!
If none hatch, the hen will usually sense this. However if she is really stuck to the nest I would remove all of the bedding/ nesting material, and start de-broodying techniques, as after sitting for three weeks, she will have lost quite a bit of weight and strength.