I got bit repeatedly by both hens while catching them, and then for good measure the blue hen bit me each time I put one back. She's a very mean broody but she is an awesome mother. A few of the chicks are probably hers.
The mean ones sure do a good job, don't they? I had several broodies hatch a couple babies this year, but that nasty tempered naked neck is the only one who successfully raised hers. I did bring some eggs in and put 'em in the incubator, but they all probably have different hatch dates! I did candle 'em and it looks like they're almost all developing...
Well my hens have done far better than I with hatch rates. The two hens with chicks 9 days apart are very protective. The single "musical chair" chick is/has proven to be too old for last hatch hen, too young for first. Guess who is now a single chick mom !! ? Tried to put the 4 day old in with 24 hr olds one night. Ok for night, pushed away in AM. Tried with 6 dy older chicks, that hen tried to kill it. I take it out for exercise and play it follows me and talks, I am sad for it...need a couple more it's age for playmates. Last time I will salvage an egg.
Right now I am looking at sooooo many BLACK chickens. Gotta order those leg bands!!!!!!! Have 2 more hens who are now broody -- don't need to set more but, may. After all, they aren't laying....might as well do "something". It's not like I don't have fertile eggs! Not like I don't have space & could sell or butcher . Do I want to do more? Life has challenges