Broken eggs under broody hen

[Jackisews]

Our broody hen has been setting on a clutch of eggs for a week. When I checked on the nest this morning another hen was on her nest. I chased her out and to my dismay two of the eggs were broken and the nest material was slimy from the broken eggs. I moved the unbroken eggs to another box with new nest material and the mama followed. Here's my problem. The unbroken eggs were "slimed" so I gently wiped them off with my gloved hands during the transfer. I may have disturbed the "bloom." Will this affect their hatchability? Also, the broody hen may have broken egg slime on her legs and under-feathers. Should I try to wash her off? We live in Florida where it is already in the 80's and I'm concerned about flies and ants.

 

[RubelliteRose]

Hopefully your eggs will hatch I also had an egg break from another hen laying in our broody nest last year. I wiped most of the slime off and cleaned out the nest. I wiped our broody's feathers off, but did not wash her since I didn't want the remaining eggs to get wet. All of her other eggs hatched without issue.

 

[Jackisews]

Hopefully your eggs will hatch I also had an egg break from another hen laying in our broody nest last year. I wiped most of the slime off and cleaned out the nest. I wiped our broody's feathers off, but did not wash her since I didn't want the remaining eggs to get wet. All of her other eggs hatched without issue.

Thanks for the reply. Sounds like I did everything you suggested. I'm just going to keep an eye out for ants. I have a small empty coop that I plan to move her and the eggs into so that the other hens will leave her alone. Sounds like we have a chance for some biddies!

 

[Chicken poppy]

Our broody hen has been setting on a clutch of eggs for a week. When I checked on the nest this morning another hen was on her nest. I chased her out and to my dismay two of the eggs were broken and the nest material was slimy from the broken eggs. I moved the unbroken eggs to another box with new nest material and the mama followed. Here's my problem. The unbroken eggs were "slimed" so I gently wiped them off with my gloved hands during the transfer. I may have disturbed the "bloom." Will this affect their hatchability? Also, the broody hen may have broken egg slime on her legs and under-feathers. Should I try to wash her off? We live in Florida where it is already in the 80's and I'm concerned about flies and ants.

Hi! I would be happy to answer this question sense i had a similar thing.

It is never recommended to wipe a fertile egg you plan on hatching due to the bloom being possibly affected, however, that does not mean it won’t hatch! I wiped a egg (it was covered in poop) all around the entire egg with a baby wipe then dried it with a paper towel, giving a bit of a scrub. I knew it wouldn’t hatch, but it did! It turned out great, healthy, and hatched perfectly. I’m sure it’s okay!

 

[Chicken poppy]

To answer your broody hen washing question:

Don’t try washing her off. See if it’s dry or wet next time you take a peek under there or feel with your hand. If it’s wet, gently wipe it off as best as you can without disturbing the nest, if it’s dry and not significant i would leave it.

 

[RubelliteRose]

When you move your broody, keep an eye on her the first day or so to make sure she doesn't abandon the eggs. I tried moving Sage, but she decided that she would rather sit on an empty nest than move to the new spot with her eggs. After the chicks hatched, she then moved them to the spot I had chosen. Now 8 months later, she, along with half of my flock, continue to lay their eggs in that spot instead of a nest box

 

[Jackisews]

Our broody hen has been setting on a clutch of eggs for a week. When I checked on the nest this morning another hen was on her nest. I chased her out and to my dismay two of the eggs were broken and the nest material was slimy from the broken eggs. I moved the unbroken eggs to another box with new nest material and the mama followed. Here's my problem. The unbroken eggs were "slimed" so I gently wiped them off with my gloved hands during the transfer. I may have disturbed the "bloom." Will this affect their hatchability? Also, the broody hen may have broken egg slime on her legs and under-feathers. Should I try to wash her off? We live in Florida where it is already in the 80's and I'm concerned about flies and ants.

UPDATE: Six eggs hatched sucessfully. Two of the remaining eggs did not. So now we have six healthy baby chicks and a very happy mama. Thanks for encouraging me to leave well enough alone.