Broody 1 week before chicks arrive

[EggSighted4Life]

Maybe she'll think she had a set of twins an triplets? LOL

Good thing chickens can't count.

A set of each... twins from one egg and triplets from the other.

I think chickens MIGHT be able to count... Well, I've totally seen them counting... but they just have WAY too short of attention span to keep track. They also are pretty bad at telling time... somehow they seem to think it's ALWAYS treat time!

 

[aart]

I think one of the most important aspects of managing a broody hen is 'teaching' her to allow you to handle her.... and her nest....and her chicks.
I've had pretty good luck with just exposing her to my presence, reaching under her, touching her, talking calmly and softly...frequently(1-2-3 times a day) in short duration's.
They may bite and fuss at first, but get used to it pretty quick.
That way if something comes up that you have to deal with(like a chick tangled to almost choking in her breast feathers-true story) or adding chicks and taking fakies, she will not be bothered by your manipulations. JMT

 

[EggSighted4Life]

(like a chick tangled to almost choking in her breast feathers-true story)

Totally had to untangle a chick from broody leg feathers this season... she was hopping all over the place trying to "get" me just flinging the chick like it wasn't there. Mind you she had lost 2 two a hawk in recent days past... I eventually decided I couldn't lose them all and stole her last two to put with the other chicks I've got.

Very good advice to get the broody used to your handling.

People are SOO worried they will break their gal if they disturb them... Jeez... if it was just that easy! Of course I know some will.

 

[Redhead Rae]

I think one of the most important aspects of managing a broody hen is 'teaching' her to allow you to handle her.... and her nest....and her chicks.
I've had pretty good luck with just exposing her to my presence, reaching under her, touching her, talking calmly and softly...frequently(1-2-3 times a day) in short duration's.
They may bite and fuss at first, but get used to it pretty quick.
That way if something comes up that you have to deal with(like a chick tangled to almost choking in her breast feathers-true story) or adding chicks and taking fakies, she will not be bothered by your manipulations. JMT

^This!

I had a broody that I didn't give eggs mainly because she was MEAN. No matter how much I handled her, she would always try to twist a chunk out of my hand when I went to gather fresh eggs from under her. She also wasn't a steady sitter (she liked to nest jump) which wouldn't be good for the eggs. So I broke her instead.

 

[IdyllwildAcres]

Well I uploaded too many pics but this is what I worked on today, temporary brooder and I figured out a way to make the 2 liter soda bottle work, I can just screw that 2x4 into the coop wall at whatever height that works.


Gary

 

[aart]

Window Well Brooder!
Does the front open?

WaitWhat, where's the broody hen?!?

 

[IdyllwildAcres]

The front is a screen that's clamped on. This is all on my workbench in garage for the time between picking up the chicks in the morning and slipping them under Fluffy tomorrow night.

Gary

 

[SueT]

But where's Fluffy?

 

[aart]

The front is a screen that's clamped on. This is all on my workbench in garage for the time between picking up the chicks in the morning and slipping them under Fluffy tomorrow night.

Gary

Wants to see Fluffy in the other brooder

 

[IdyllwildAcres]

But where's Fluffy?

Fluffy is in the in coop brooder keeping the wood eggs warm! I will get a pic this morning.

Gary