First hatch with a broody!

[cluckmecoop7]

Today is day 16 for hatching two eggs with a broody hen! I can't wait to have little baby chicks again (hopefully)! Well, long story short: I used to have three eggs but on day 12 or 13, egg #3 just...just disappeared. I'm thinking the mother pushed it out of the nest because it was a dud and the other chickens crushed/ate it or maybe a snake. (I hope it wasn't a snake!!!) Besides, I don't think there is any way a snake could get into my coop. So, back to the eggs the will/might hatch:

I am thinking all about names right now....even though I won't be keeping the chicks. I'm afraid I'll get attached to them and not want to give them away/sell them, but I will just try to remember that they WON'T be staying from the start....hopefully. Well, I'm trying to think of names that have the theme of fall, or maybe halloween. A few of the names I like are Pumpkin, Gracie, Spooky, Pretzel, Tansy, and a few others. (Any name suggestions would be welcome!) This is the hen I am using to hatch the eggs. Her name is Dazzle but right now I call her 'Miss Grumpy'. The second pic is before the became broody.

So, all I can do now is check on her, hope, and wait. I will up date this thread every day or so. Wish her/me luck!!

 

[frustratedearthmother]

Cute name ideas! But why can't you keep any?

 

[cluckmecoop7]

Cute name ideas! But why can't you keep any?

Thanks! I can't keep them because I have no room for more chickens. My coop is just right for six, which I already have. And I just wanted to try hatching and raising to about 10 weeks or a little younger, then sell/give away the chicks. I don't even know what breed they are.

 

[Mini Horses]

Are they YOUR hens eggs? The hen appears to be a gold Wyandotte, and your roo is???

Probably not a snake, it would have come back for other two. Plus, a hen will discard a dud, often consume it.

So, somewhere between Sat & Mon we should see pics of chicks

I have a hen broody now. But, not wanting chicks late Nov!

 

[cluckmecoop7]

Are they YOUR hens eggs? The hen appears to be a gold Wyandotte, and your roo is???

Probably not a snake, it would have come back for other two. Plus, a hen will discard a dud, often consume it.

So, somewhere between Sat & Mon we should see pics of chicks

I have a hen broody now. But, not wanting chicks late Nov!

Are they YOUR hens eggs? The hen appears to be a gold Wyandotte, and your roo is???
No, they are not mine. A friend gave them to me when I said I wanted to hatch some eggs with a very stubborn broody!
Probably not a snake, it would have come back for other two. Plus, a hen will discard a dud, often consume it.
Really? I new hens would push duds out of the nest and the other hens would often eat them, but I never knew the broody herself would eat the egg! Wow, I guess I learn something new every day, lol.
So, somewhere between Sat & Mon we should see pics of chicks
Oh boy! Wow! I CAN'T WAIT! I will definitely show you all pictures!!
I have a hen broody now. But, not wanting chicks late Nov!
Well then, have fun braking her!

 

[Lazy Gardener]

It's most likely that the broody hen ate the dead egg. It's their natural behavior. They know when an egg dies. Instead of leaving it in the nest to possibly explode and contaminate the viable eggs, she will eat it. This keeps the nest clean and gives her some much needed protein during this stressful time.

 

[cluckmecoop7]

Yeah, but, ANOTHER EGG IS GONE! Now only one left. Whats up with that????

It's most likely that the broody hen ate the dead egg. It's their natural behavior. They know when an egg dies. Instead of leaving it in the nest to possibly explode and contaminate the viable eggs, she will eat it. This keeps the nest clean and gives her some much needed protein during this stressful time.

 

[Hinotori]

Rats? Rats steel eggs.

 

[Lazy Gardener]

Agreed with Hinotori. Did you ever candle the eggs to see if they are alive? The fact that they are disappearing one at a time points to rat.

 

[Mini Horses]

Could be a rat. Another thought -- the eggs may not have been fertile. Even with hen & roo, at this time of year it is not unusual. Fall, molt, natural for things to lose fertility. It's a cycle.

As to breaking up a hen -- well, you get more air under them. You can cage them without a solid bottom for them to snuggle up. So you have to keep the cage off of the ground...like a rabbit cage, with no board or nest box. Generally takes about 3-4 days. Of course, feed & water her. They can be stubborn. Oh, small wire so she can walk and not get legs falling thru the holes. Throw some fresh grass to her couple times each day as well.