[Carshay]

I have a broody who is sitting on 4 eggs and is now on day 22. She kept shoving one egg out last week & I kept putting it back but on Saturday she shoved it out & broke it & there was a little dead chick inside. Did she know the chick was already dead? How long should I give her to hatch the others?

[ANHBUC]

Broodies usually know as they can't feel any movement or hear the chicks calling.  Quite a few people are having late hatch dates recently up to day 25.  My bantams hatched on day 22 and 23 last week.  In February I had one hatch on day 18 and four more on day 19. 

Was the chick fully formed and the yolk sack absorbed?

[Carshay]

It was fairly well formed but not at hatchable stage. She's still rosey quietly to them - if they weren't going to hatch would she stop?

[ANHBUC]

She would probably kick them out of the nest like the other one.  It is really hard to do but best to leave her to it.  Just put a small dish of chick crumb and a drinker near enough for her to eat and drink as she will probably not want to leave the nest now.  Check and remove any poo from the nest area, I use a dog poo bag to collect it in.

Fingers crossed for a good hatch.   

[Carshay]

Thanks - she hasn't wanted to come off since Friday but I've left her corn & water she has been able to reach so I'll just keep hoping!

[ANHBUC]

She will need some grit as well so she can digest her food.