Broody Hen Thread!

[bhawk-23]

Have you marked the eggs you want to hatch and removed any new ones laid in there daily? Maybe she won't let the others lay in her nest, but good to be sure.

Yes, eggs are marked. And no hen dares to enter HER nest. The bottom ones cautiously enter the coop to lay. Lol she was TOP hen and she most definitely let the others know from the start

Do your birds free range? I ask because 2 of my hens have to be locked in the house when I free range their flock otherwise they lose their chicks

Yes, free range 90% of the time. We have a privacy fence on all sides and small gaps covered with wire, bricks, stones and wood. But will definitely make sure we are watching closely for the first few days to gauge the situation and make adjustments as needed.

 

[aart]

Yes, eggs are marked. And no hen dares to enter HER nest. The bottom ones cautiously enter the coop to lay. Lol she was TOP hen and she most definitely let the others know from the start

Will she let you check things out?

 

[bhawk-23]

Will she let you check things out?

NO!!! We have to wear gloves to try and move her while she puffs up, growls and pecks at us quite aggressively Talk about a mama hen! She scared the pants off a squirrel who dared to go near HER coop. I was dying!!

 

[aart]

We have to wear gloves to try and move her while she puffs up, growls and pecks at us quite aggressively

Is this her first time?
I've found I can get them used to me, might use a bit of scratch grains as a bribe at first.

 

[JacinLarkwell]

Yes, eggs are marked. And no hen dares to enter HER nest. The bottom ones cautiously enter the coop to lay. Lol she was TOP hen and she most definitely let the others know from the start


Yes, free range 90% of the time. We have a privacy fence on all sides and small gaps covered with wire, bricks, stones and wood. But will definitely make sure we are watching closely for the first few days to gauge the situation and make adjustments as needed.

I would watch close until they're almost all feathered out. I lost one at 3 weeks when it got lost

 

[bhawk-23]

Is this her first time?
I've found I can get them used to me, might use a bit of scratch grains as a bribe at first.

She's never been all that friendly. She will take treats nicely so I'll give it a try.

I would watch close until they're almost all feathered out. I lost one at 3 weeks when it got lost

So grateful for everyone's wisdom here. I will definitely keep a close watch.

 

[aart]

She's never been all that friendly. She will take treats nicely so I'll give it a try.

Mine weren't either. The treats work a treat...haha....then touch them gently on their wattles front of neck, then face and head, short sessions.

 

[JacinLarkwell]

Mine are a hit or miss on friendliness. Either I can do whatever I want to them and the eggs or chicks. Others will tear my face off if I think about them

 

[bhawk-23]

So Orpy came off the next for a break and her sister, Buffy, jumped on it. There's a standoff now. Do I just leave them or what?? Both are Buff Orpingtons, which are know for going broody if I have researched correctly?
my fear is that Orpy doesn't go back and Buffy is not actually going to stay.

 

[Katie386]

I don’t understand why chickens have a favorite nest. My chickens fight over the same one and will even sit on top of the other chicken even though there are other nest boxes.