Kirstie Posted April 28, 2012 Share Posted April 28, 2012 My broody hen has been sitting tightly for 12 days so far, getting off once a day (that I've seen) for food and drink. But yesterday she was a bit more restless - getting off a couple of times and today she has come out 3 x so far (it's now 2.30 in the afternoon) each time it's been for about 10 mins (no longer then 15) but I wasn't sure if this is a sign shes not going to continue sitting. Can anyone tell me is it ok for her to get off this many times? Is it a sign shes getting bored with sitting? Should I plug in the incy just in case? Everyone says using a broody is easy as they do everything but I think using the incy was less stressful - at least the incy didn't get up to sunbathe! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
sjp Posted April 28, 2012 Share Posted April 28, 2012 my number one broody do's the same at about the time in that yours is but for a bit longer but is a good broody and mom but she still makes me worry that she's going to give up.I think that the eggs start to get a bit to warm as the chick gets bigger so thats why she gets up more. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Isabel Posted April 28, 2012 Share Posted April 28, 2012 Hi Kirstie No advice but you've passed the half way mark! Hope Belle will continue to sit tight. Have you candled again yet? This is Day 8 for Nigella (assuming I can count the day we put the eggs under her as day 1) and I'm tempted to try candling this evening. I doubt I'll be able to see anything within the Maran eggs so we'll leave those to Mother Nature but hope there is life within some of the others. She's sitting tight and coming off once a day for food and water but I will keep a closer eye on her now from the middle of next week. Good luck! Isabel Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Griffin Posted April 28, 2012 Share Posted April 28, 2012 Tiger my Silkie is brilliant, you could set your watch by her Every morning she'll come out for a ten minute comfort break The Brahma ladies on the other hand are a different kettle of fish, they have a more relaxed approach to sitting. It's not unknown for them to spend a leisurely hour pottering about, dust bathing etc yet the eggs always hatch despite the neglect. I can trust Tiger to put herself back on her eggs but I do supervise the Brahmas more closely and do sometimes have to remind them to stop enjoying themselves and go in Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
sjp Posted April 28, 2012 Share Posted April 28, 2012 Hi Kirstie No advice but you've passed the half way mark! Hope Belle will continue to sit tight. Have you candled again yet? This is Day 8 for Nigella (assuming I can count the day we put the eggs under her as day 1) and I'm tempted to try candling this evening. I doubt I'll be able to see anything within the Maran eggs so we'll leave those to Mother Nature but hope there is life within some of the others. She's sitting tight and coming off once a day for food and water but I will keep a closer eye on her now from the middle of next week. Good luck! Isabel day one is the day after you set them but they should hatch the same day that you set ie if you set on a monday they should hatch on a monday Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Isabel Posted April 28, 2012 Share Posted April 28, 2012 Thanks SJP - we're only on day 7 in that case so no point candling this evening Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Kirstie Posted April 28, 2012 Author Share Posted April 28, 2012 Oh phew thank you - that would make sense the whole chick being bigger and therefore being hotter - wow Belle really does know what she's doing I candled at 7 days and it was pretty obvious (but as you know my eggs are easy to see into not like yours Isabel ) I candled again 2 days later (yes I am soooooo inpatient) and removed the three I could see through - and I opened them just to check (and yes they were completely empty ! ) I am the most nervous chicken mummy - I am less panicky with my children! What is wrong with me Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Isabel Posted April 28, 2012 Share Posted April 28, 2012 Perfectly normal!!! I resisted candling tonight but will tomorrow. Am also a nervous chicken owner now as I looked out the kitchen window at lunchtime and was met by the sight of a huge fox loping across our field ... whilst our other two girls free-ranged around 2-300 metres away Hubby made moves to lock the girls up but Mr Fox continued his journey across the road and down towards the river so we left them out ... I watched his progress. Our girls always free-range and I guess we're lucky they haven't been taken - touch wood - the farmer next door shot at (and missed!) a fox in the field behind us last year so the threat is always there. Big sighs! Shall be extra vigilant now. Isabel Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Kirstie Posted April 28, 2012 Author Share Posted April 28, 2012 Our girls free range in our field too,and it was the loss of one of my girls last year that made me buy the incy. Though not sure it was a fox as only took one girl, could have been a bird of prey of some sort. But they are happy free ranging and its nice to see. Just have to keep vigalent and for me not let the chicks out too early- very easy prey for a bird Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Redwing Posted April 28, 2012 Share Posted April 28, 2012 getting up once a day is normal, more often isnt necessarily a problem but its not brilliant for the broody to get particularly distracted you can always try shutting the coop door and only opening it once or twice a day Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Kirstie Posted April 28, 2012 Author Share Posted April 28, 2012 Hmm Thanks redwing i did think she should only be doing this once! I'll see how she goes tomorrow as its going to be really wet and windy so will prob be very happy to sit tight. If she isn't then it's probably lock down for the next 10 days with me letting her out first thing and then in the afternoon. It would be sad to get to this point and have to move the eggs to the incubator. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
