I’ve kept chickens for more than 15 years and in all that time I’ve never had a chicken go broody and stick with it. Until now. This little girl hatched out today, a few days later than I’d expected her. We were unsure if the eggs from our Dutch Browns were fertile (they’re not so fond of King Henry), but this chick hatched from one of their eggs.
In another twist, our other Black Cochin broke into the nesting box several times to lay eggs. I’m quite confident that her eggs are fertile. I’ll be keeping an eye on the momma hen for the next few days. If she leaves the nest while some are still unhatched, I’ll do my best to hatch them (without an incubator) and then tuck the chicks under her at night.
If you’ve got any tips for me, feel free to share!
Lovely!
So cute!
So very cute!
Irene
Awww… so cute! We’ve seen so many babies around these parts – baby bunnies, raccoons, and we even have the most adorable baby deer who comes up the driveway with his or her momma. I feel renewed when I see them.
Awesome!
I hope you momma hens keeps sitting, but if not……if they are close to hatching (try candling the eggs to see how full they are, if you can’t see much free space, they are nearly done) you just have to keep them warm enough to stay alive, around 38degC, and high humidity so they don’t stick to the shell when they hatch. If you don’t have an incubator, you might be able to put them in a small box wrapped up in blankets in a warm spot, you can also give them a hot water bottle
I’ve heard of people using an electric frying pan on low, but I would be very scared of overheating them. Ask around, someone might have an incubator that you could borrow for a few days. Also spray them with water to keep them moist. It will be a bit of work, but you should only have to do it for a few days until the rest hatch. Good luck!
I hope your momma hen keeps sitting, but if not……if they are close to hatching (try candling the eggs to see how full they are, if you can’t see much free space, they are nearly done) you just have to keep them warm enough to stay alive, around 38degC, and high humidity so they don’t stick to the shell when they hatch. If you don’t have an incubator, you might be able to put them in a small box wrapped up in blankets in a warm spot, you can also give them a hot water bottle
I’ve heard of people using an electric frying pan on low, but I would be very scared of overheating them. Ask around, someone might have an incubator that you could borrow for a few days. Also spray them with water to keep them moist. It will be a bit of work, but you should only have to do it for a few days until the rest hatch. Good luck!
No tips, but this tops the cutie meter today!
No tips but I had a neighbor who would raise birds of all kinds from eggs using an incubator. As a kid I loved to help out with it. It was fun later to see a line of chicks following a 6’6″ man all around the yard.
Cute, cute, cute.
I really admire people with chickens. I could never do it.
Aw– love the chick snuggled in there under the wing.
freakin’ sweet!! love the chickens!