[Catsmuvva]

17 days ago I put a clutch of Patches' eggs into an incubator. Now, with only 4 days left I think she may have gone broody!

Over the past couple of days she has been spending more & more time in "her" nest box, the quarters I put her & her mate in when they first arrived and the place where she insists on returning to lay her eggs. Today I got home at 4pm to find her in there again, I don't know when she settled in but she's still showing no sign of moving and is laying really low & spread out. When I carefully put my hand in to see how she would react I got warned off with a swift peck.

Should I leave the eggs in the incubator for the last few days or try putting them in with her to see if she will hatch them? (I'm not sure if they're viable or not, just thought I'd wait & see...)

[Lindeggs]

I've not hatched any chicks so I'm just speculating here.

I think I would leave the eggs in the incubator to hatch, as so far you don't know how determined/consistent Patches is going to be about sitting on them and it would be a shame to lose them at this late stage.

But you could consider putting some fake eggs under her now, then popping the chicks under her after they have hatched, when you have enough time to supervise her carefully. 

[joyfull]

I agree - they don't even need to be fake eggs as any eggs would do. Then as soon as the chicks have dried off carefully slide one hand under her and remove an egg replacing it with a chick. Repeat this untill all eggs and chicks have been exchanged. However make sure you have a heat lamp and brooder box set up just in case.

[Catsmuvva]

Thanks, I'll hold fire for now then, will just put in a couple of dummies which I have to hand.

She's still sitting tight this morning, hasn't even come out for food...

[Catsmuvva]

I put the dummy eggs in this morning & Patches got up, went out in the run, shouted the odds at the world and then went back in, settled down & has stayed there since.

As she's not actually sitting on her own eggs should I encourage her to get up & feed/drink or will she do that when she feels like it anyway?

[JaK]

Just check for evidence of her leaving the nest, if she hasn't then get her up to eat, drink and poop. My hen sorts herself out some days and others she needs to be told to take care of herself a little  When my hen first started to sit I left her on the nest for the first day to just ensure I didn't break her broodyness.

[bantam novice]

Keep us posted    
It looks as if Epic will be getting some companions 

[Catsmuvva]

Patches has been sitting tight since Thursday!

As I'd heard & seen nothing happening to the eggs by close of play yesterday I decided this morning I'd turn off the incy & place the eggs under Patches anyway, let nature do it's own thing - lo & behold, 2 of the eggs had started pipping!!!   

I carefully took them out and, one by one, replaced them for the ones Patches was on (ironically 4, so if she can count she won't know different  ) She didn't flinch except to gather one of them in a bit closer.

Wish us luck...

[evie2]

That sounds promising

[JaK]

Good luck! 

[Catsmuvva]

In answer to my own question - YES, she can!

Chick #1 put in it's first public appearance almost an hour ago, not sure how many more have hatched, I'm just going to have to be patient   

I've put a feeder & drinker (with pebbles around the base so it's not too deep) in the coop - Patches didn't bat an eyelid, just let me get on with it while covering her offspring. It's all so exciting   

[JaK]

Fantastic! Hope you get to take a peek at them in the morning. 

[bantam novice]

That's great news!  Remember that pictures are a statutory requirement of this forum 
Good Luck and keep us posted.

[Lindeggs]

Oh that's lovely!  And very exciting!  I second the need for pictures!

[LittleRedHen]

I am so happy for you!  To me, that sight of the first chick hatching was like a miracle.  I definitely want pictures!  I like being envious when it comes to chicks!