Broody Hen Thread!

[plumtownwingers]

I set 12 eggs under my broody on Wednesday. When should i candle them? This is my first try.

 

[sgtmom52]

I set 12 eggs under my broody on Wednesday. When should i candle them? This is my first try.

I usually candle at 10 days. I don't always candle as most broodies will kick out any eggs that are duds.

 

[bubbaloo]

I set 12 eggs under my broody on Wednesday. When should i candle them? This is my first try.

I never usually candle a broodys eggs as she pretty much has everything under control, just let nature take its course she knows what eggs are good and what aren't, My broody, hatched 3 out of 4 eggs last year, she used to roll the unhatched one around with her whilst tending to the other chicks until it hatched the next day, so clever!!

 

[chicken pickin]

My Broody is on day 19 I was wondering when should I put ou the chick feeder and chick waterer? Should I have it ready or not put it out til after they hatch? probably doesnt mater either way just looking for opinions.

 

[sgtmom52]

My Broody is on day 19 I was wondering when should I put ou the chick feeder and chick waterer? Should I have it ready or not put it out til after they hatch? probably doesnt mater either way just looking for opinions.

I put it out after they hatch. That way it doesn't get dirty. Chicks usually stay under Mom for about 2 days before they really need to eat or drink.

 

[QuirkySue]

I let my broody sit on 6 eggs and she hatched out only one chick a month ago. She is in a converted bunny hutch with that one baby and its about half the size of the others that hatched around the same time in the bator and raised in a brooder.

I'm going to move the brooder babies to a grow out pen soon and was wondering if I should throw the little one in too and let mom go back with the others. She's pacing and antsy and probably done being a mom?

 

[jenifern]

My Broody is on day 19 I was wondering when should I put ou the chick feeder and chick waterer? Should I have it ready or not put it out til after they hatch? probably doesnt mater either way just looking for opinions.

I usually wait until I hear those first few peeps or see a little head poking out from under momma. In most cases my broody hen is in her own pen with food and water already but I typically put the dishes a bit closer and of course add the chick starter for them.

 

[QuirkySue]

.....
Or maybe Put mama in with the whole bunch for a while?

 

[MorgansManor]

So glad to see all these broody hens. Just an update on my broody hens. The buff hatched 5 out of 5 eggs which was just awesome since it was my first broody hen and my second hen hatched 5 out of 7. I have to admit I am addicted to broody hens and can not imagine another spring without letting my girls hatch some babies. Currently I have one more hen in a broody pen and she is on day 8 after that I hope I am done for a little while. Good luck everyone!
Here is my mama buff out with the babies before the cold weather got here.

 

[chicken pickin]

My broody cochin is on day 20 and babies are hatching I can hear them faintly peeping and mama is acting different listening cooing and positioning her body different. I cant wait to see the babies poke their tiny heads out from under her. Only 3 eggs, Black Sexlinks, it was her first time so I didnt want to over do it. Hopefully I will have pics soon to come.