Broody Bantam

[annetteu]

My little bantam is brooding. I think for about two weeks. I am new at this and don't know what to do or expect. She is still in the coop with four other bantams. Can someone tell me what to do? I don't have a clue. I have 12 hens and 5 roo's, but none of them have ever gone broody. Thank you for any advice you can give.

 

[sumi]

Congrats on your broody! If she's been sitting for 2 weeks you can expect to see chicks in another week's time. You don't have to do much except make sure the rest of your flock don't bother the chicks once they've hatched. I separate my broody hens and their chicks as soon as they finished hatching, since my flock were a little aggressive. Once the chicks are about a month old I reintroduce them all to the flock while she's still taking care of them and they are bigger and stronger.

Feed mom and the chicks chick starter crumbles, but no layer food, not even for mom. She won't need it, since she's not laying and the high calcium content bad for the chicks. Also make sure their water bowl is not too deep as chicks can easily fall into it and drown. Fill it with clean pebbles or marbles.

Here is a long, interesting thread on broody hen hatches that you can look at so long:

https://www.backyardchickens.com/t/...ody-hen-hatch-a-long-and-informational-thread

 

[annetteu]

Thanks for the info, Sumi

 

[retiredwithchicks]

I have some newly hatched also and a broody I put 6 eggs under yesterday. WHY in this cold weather did they decide to hatch eggs. lol

 

[annetteu]

I have no idea why. I found 6 eggs that had been pushed out of her nesting box. I dropped one and saw a chick. I feel awful that I did not see that she was broody sooner. I feel like I have failed them because I am still learning. Do you ever this way? Thank you for comment.

 

[kidcody]

Bantams are famous for going broody and make wonderful mothers! good luck!

 

[SilkieSensation]

I would leave her right in the coop as long as it's well insulated. As long as she's not the very bottom of the pecking order she will brood them just fine & keep the others away from them. This way, she won't loose her status & have to reestablish herself when she & the babies are returned to the coop. Just watch them for the 1st few days after hatch to make sure she's doing her job protecting them. If your coop is drafty or your birds are aggressive you can separate them from the flock. Just remember reintegration will not be easy on Mom or babies. If you need to separate her, the best way would be to put her in a crate or kennel inside the coop where the other birds can still see her so she doesn't lose status.

 

[chickensbro]

i have bantams mixed with a americana rooster and a black astralourp hen . and the black astralourp laid 1 egg and. of my bantams hens laid 2 eggs. and the weird part is one of the bantams are sitting on the eggs. is this ok? and should i seperate them? and in may i have 25 turkens coming in may will they get along?