incubation
incubation at Alektorophobia is a file of 14 stories. The newest of them: “Free-Range Chickens Hatch Naturally: A Cluck-Tastic Video!”, “Peach's midnight switcheroo hatched a cluck-tastic happy ending!”, and “My Entire Flock Has Gone Broody, and I'm Officially Outnumbered”. There's something magical about watching nature do its thing, and this video of free-range chickens hatching naturally is absolutely egg-citing! There's something genuinely magical about the moment a broody hen finally gets her wish. Chickens. Everything there is to know about chickens and the fear of them. The list below is every incubation story on Alektorophobia, newest first.
Free-Range Chickens Hatch Naturally: A Cluck-Tastic Video!
There's something magical about watching nature do its thing, and this video of free-range chickens hatching naturally is absolutely egg-citing! No incubators, no meddling, just good old-fashioned hen power doing what it does best. I love seeing these feathered friends take charge, and honestly, it's a reminder that sometimes the best things in life happen when you just let the chickens be chickens. It's wholesome, a little chaotic, and completely cluck-tastic. If you're new to the backyard poultry life or just here for the fluffy cuteness, this one's for you. And hey, if you're craving more chick-filled joy, don't forget to check out "Six fluffy chicks have hatched, egg-cellent news from our feathered friends!" for another round of heartwarming hatch stories.
Peach's midnight switcheroo hatched a cluck-tastic happy ending!
There's something genuinely magical about the moment a broody hen finally gets her wish. After three long weeks of sitting tight, Peach finally had her adoptive chicks sneak into her nest under the cover of darkness, and she took to them like she'd been waiting her whole life for exactly this. It's the kind of fowl play we can totally get behind. Watching her embrace those babies without missing a beat? Pure cluck-tastic joy. We swapped out her eggs for the real deal, and Peach is officially living her best mom life today. If you love these feel-good flock moments as much as we do, you'll want to check out our story on "Six fluffy chicks have hatched, egg-cellent news from our feathered friends!
My Entire Flock Has Gone Broody, and I'm Officially Outnumbered
Well, isn't this the ultimate fowl plot twist? You've got nearly a whole flock of broody hens, from Barry the cream legbar to both silkie bantoms and even Kristin, all deciding they're done with normal chicken life and opting for full-time nest duty. That's ten out of sixteen hens, which is less a chicken coop and more a feathered standoff. Honestly, I'm both impressed and slightly terrified for your patience. The good news? This is a phase, not a forever thing, but you're right to wonder if you should just wait it out. You can, but here's the thing: broody hens will sit so long they forget to eat and drink, so you'll need to gently evict them for daily snacks and water breaks.
Six eggs left, one mystery: Where did that air cell go?
Well, that's a heartbreaker of a lockdown surprise. You cracked open that egg expecting a heartbeat and found a fully formed chick that just... stopped. That's the fowlest kind of plot twist. The vanished air cell is a big clue. When that cell disappears, it usually means the chick drew down early or the membrane turned into a slick slip-and-slide, drowning it right at the finish line. As for those early deaths between days 6 and 9, that's a classic humidity whiplash zone. Your house temp swings a couple degrees, your incubator reads its own little story, and overnight the humidity takes a nosedive. Without a separate hygrometer, you're flying blind. Grab a second one.
My Hen Hatched a Veggie Omelet: Four Chicks, Zero Tomatoes
Well, here's a plot twist: this hen decided my raised garden bed was basically a five-star nursery. She planted herself on five eggs and a side of cherry tomatoes, because why not mix business with a snack? Today, four of those eggs hatched, and I'm relieved to report she's finally given up on the idea of hatching the tomatoes. Smart bird, honestly. There's a fine line between dedicated motherhood and just being extra, and she was teetering on it. It's a silly, cluck-tastic reminder that chickens really do keep us on our toes. For more feathery chaos, check out our piece on "Chickens Got Her Good!", it's right up this garden bed's alley.
Super Glue to the Rescue: A Feathery Fix for a Pecked Pal
Well, this little trooper had a rough start, missing skin after what we're guessing was a run-in with an older, grumpier feathered friend. But here's the cluck-tastic part: a simple saline wash, some gentle skin stretching, and a dab of super glue later, and this chicken's back in business. Loose medical tape keeps the flies and mosquitos from crashing the healing party, which is honestly more than some of us do for our own scrapes. At 20 weeks, it's looking solid, and I can't help but feel a little proud of this resilient bird. For more feathery adventures, our "Chickens Got Her Good!" piece pairs nicely with this tale of fowl play and recovery.
Heatwave Survivors: Two Cluck-tastic Chicks Beat the Odds!
Well, talk about a heatwave horror story with a happy ending! When I read that four of the six eggs had been sitting there for over three weeks, I honestly thought Pippa's clutch was a total loss. The suspense must have been unbearable. So you can imagine my absolute delight, and likely yours too, when little peeps started echoing from the coop. Two survivors! That is nothing short of a miracle, especially with temperatures soaring. And to think Pippa already pulled off a hatch back in May? What a champion. This feels like a real-life "Chickens Got Her Good! A Backyard Poultry Adventure" moment. I'm just so thrilled for you and your feathered friend.
One Chick's Journey, Another's Goodbye: Egg-citing News from the Coop
Well, Franky pulled off the ultimate magic trick: making a nest disappear while sitting on it. I am genuinely impressed, and honestly, a little jealous of her chill. Between the cold snap claiming one little one and the chaos of trying to move a protective mama, this update had my heart doing the chicken dance. The image of sliding her nest like a cake out of an oven is pure genius, even if it was a sick, sleep-deprived idea. It's a relief she settled right in with her baby once they were reunited. This is exactly the kind of happy, slightly chaotic news I needed.
A Silky Roo's Big Jump: Can He Really Win Over Those Hens?
Well, here's a classic case of fowl play in the romance department! Your silky rooster is giving it his best shot with those big ladies, and honestly, I respect the ambition. Those quick jumps you're seeing? That's him hoping for a little egg-citing success, but a couple of seconds doesn't always mean the deed is done properly. If you're thinking about incubating, I'd say let the hens collect a clutch of eggs first and see how many actually look fertile before you get your hopes up. Silky boys can be a bit clumsy with larger hens, so the success rate might be a bit hit-or-miss. It's a bummer about his silky gals, but love finds a way, right?
Cluck-tastic news: Our broody hen is finally hatching, but how do I not chicken out?
There's nothing quite like the moment you realize your broody hen is finally hatching her babies, and honestly, the panic that follows is just as egg-citing as the peeping. This mama is doing all the right things, asking all the right questions, and still worrying herself silly over every little detail. Relatable? Absolutely. That's the cluck-tastic reality of being a first-time chicken parent, even when you've done the incubator route before. Letting a hen raise her own brood is a whole different feather game, and it's awesome that she's giving it a shot. For anyone else in this nervous hen mode, check out our piece on "Six fluffy chicks have hatched, egg-cellent news from our feathered friends!" for some extra encouragement.
Broody Hen Surprises Us All: And My Heart Can't Take It
Oh, the suspense of a broody hen is enough to make anyone cluck with anxiety. First off, breathe. You're not alone in this feather-fluffed frenzy. That first loss is heartbreaking, especially when you're left guessing if it was the membrane or the chill. For the current batch, resist the urge to fuss. A broody hen usually knows her business; spritzing can actually mess with the humidity balance she's already managing. Leave her be unless a chick is clearly stuck after 24 hours and even then, go in gently. Your worry shows you care, which is half the battle. For a little extra comfort during this nail-biter, our piece on "Chickens Got Her Good! A Backyard Poultry Adventure" might offer a chuckle.
Shelf Liner Left Its Mark and Now My Eggs Are Grumpy
Well, here's a cluck-tastic mystery: your eggs are now sporting dimples that would make a golf ball jealous. You followed the advice, cut that shelf liner, and now your future chicks are literally carrying the pattern around. That's not normal, friend. The liner's texture is too firm and leaves impressions that can affect the shell's integrity. You were right to pull it out. Turning eggs without them rolling away is a fowl struggle, but trust me, a few wayward eggs beat a hatch full of misshapen shells. Stick with a flatter, smoother surface, or just embrace the roll and use your hands. You're not alone in this feathery fiasco.
Hand Turning 18 Eggs: Is 3 Times a Day the Cluck-tastic Move?
Hand turning eighteen eggs when your turner only fits twelve is a classic fowl math problem, and honestly, I respect the optimism that maybe some won't be fertile. But here's the thing: opening that incubator five times a day is a surefire way to turn your humidity into a rollercoaster of regret. Three times a day is totally doable, and honestly, your future chicks will forgive you for the fewer peeks. I've seen plenty of folks hatch perfectly fine with a morning, noon, and night routine, so don't sweat the extra openings. Just be quick about it, and maybe have a plan for those mystery eggs that don't make the cut. It's a bit of a gamble, but that's half the cluck-tastic fun, right?
Flea market eggs hatch hope, and Dad owes me ten bucks
Well, color me cluck-tastic and call me a chicken whisperer, because this is the kind of fowl play I can get behind. This person bought eggs from a flea market, of all places, and popped them in an incubator. Day five rolls around, and while dear old dad is squawking about "wasted time," those little embryos are throwing a party. All but one are showing veins and movement. Who's stupid now, Dad? Hand over that ten bucks! It's a beautiful reminder that sometimes, the best things come from the most unexpected (and slightly sketchy) places. This isn't just about winning a bet; it's about a little bit of crazy faith paying off. For more feathery wins, check out our story on "Chickens Got Her Good!