Broody Hen and Eggs

Lorelei · **Posted:** Fri Sep 19, 2008 3:16 pm

Hi There -
I have been given the job of babysitting my son's Kindergarten Chickens over the school holidays - 2 bantams of some kind and 1 bantam rooster. One of the hens has gone clucky and is sitting on some eggs. The plan was to bring them to my place but I am worried that moving the broody one and her eggs might disrupt her all together (the plan was for the Kindy kids to have some chicks!).

So my first question is 1) can we move her? And the eggs? And if so what is the best way? She would only be transported for a 5 min car ride.
2) how long will she sit until the chicks hatch? the school holidays are for 2 weeks and she already has been sitting for the last week!
3) i am guessing i need to seperate her from the others?

any advice appreciated!

Lorelei

greenaus · **Posted:** Fri Sep 19, 2008 8:12 pm

I apologise that this advice might be late (if you were supposed to move her today).

I don't know whether it will be ok, but...

1. The hen. Earlier this year I brought home a broody hen from Kylie's place at the Gold Coast all the way out here in the Lockyer Valley. She was off the nest for around 3 hours in total...maybe longer...it was several months ago. We left her dead eggs behind and put her on new eggs.

2. The eggs. I took eggs out of my incubator here, took them and the incubator up to Toowoomba, set it up and put them back in. They were in a 6pk styrofoam box with 600ml bottles of hot water and a teatowel or nappy or something. They were in there for over an hour. There were three due dates. All eight from one date hatched.

Moving the broody hen with her eggs to a comfortable location at your place should be ok. She's already committed to those eggs.

Disclaimer: Based only on my opinions.

Lorelei · **Posted:** Sat Sep 20, 2008 12:23 am

Thanks Greenaus - no, I am not due to move her until next Friday. So she should be, as you say, well and truly committed to those eggs. Appreciate the advice! Will let you know how it all goes.

bunyanuternie · **Joined:** Wed Jul 11, 2007 10:31 pm **Posts:** 2903

A good trick for moving broodys is take there nest with them , so if she's in a basket or drum leave her in it , this won't work if she's sitting on the ground obviously , but is something to think about for th future ,When U do move her shift her to a dark Comfy spot and she'll be more inclined to stay sitting , Hope she moves OK , Good Luck

Lorelei · **Posted:** Mon Oct 06, 2008 6:25 pm

Just an update - the broody bantam is still sitting.

We left her where she was (I am just back and forward each day to let her and "her friends" out, feed them, provide fresh water, clean pen etc ...) .. and she has probably been sitting on those eggs for at least 3 weeks now and still no action. Is there a point where you give up?! How long should it take for chicks to start hatching????? I thought it was about 3 weeks .... Maybe I am just impatient! :roll:

Any advice appreciated!

County Lodge · **Posted:** Mon Oct 06, 2008 7:28 pm

Do you have a small bright torch that you can candle them with to see if they are any good?

Lorelei · **Posted:** Mon Oct 06, 2008 7:43 pm

yes, i could do that - although this broody is pretty nasty if you try and take a peek under her! And to be honest getting over to the pen she is in at night time is tricky (i am babysitting her at my son's kindy). Will she just sit and sit even if the eggs don't hatch. They should be fertile as they have a rooster in with them 100% of the time (2 hens and a rooster) and I have certainly seen him in the act when dropping my son off to kindy!!! :lol:

County Lodge · **Posted:** Mon Oct 06, 2008 7:45 pm

Only problem with her sitting and sitting and sitting if the eggs don't hatch one could be rotten and explode. Not nice for mumma chook or kindy kids and teacher :shock:

Lorelei · **Posted:** Mon Oct 06, 2008 8:05 pm

hmmm - oh dear, we don't want that to happen. Maybe I will leave her a bit longer as i have been on watch for a week and a half and Kindy teacher was not sure how long she had been sitting for before then.
So once I have my torch what do I do?

County Lodge · **Posted:** Mon Oct 06, 2008 8:20 pm

There are some previous posts that may help with candling.

http://www.australianpoultryforum.com/v ... php?t=1924

http://www.australianpoultryforum.com/v ... 90&start=0

The following pictures are really good so that one knows what they are suppose to see when they candle. Warning photos very graphic.

http://bethei.blogspot.com/2007/06/evol ... -pics.html

I hope this is of some help to you. It was to me when I first started

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