Broody Hen Hatching Chicks

theblondeangler

In the Brooder
Jul 31, 2017
36
13
34
Connecticut
Ok, this is my first time experiencing broody hens hatching chicks.

I have a concern and need advice:

We are in the dead of winter here in Connecticut and I'm worried that if I allow the hens to hatch out chicks, they wont survive due to the cold temps in the coop. Even if the hen gets off the chicks/nest for even 10 minutes to eat/drink at just a few days old they can die. My second concern is if I leave the chicks in the coop with the hens, I will have to change all the chicken feed over to chick starter which is just not practical for my 40 birds.

So my question is, do I let the chicks hatch naturally in the coop and then bring them inside the house and put them in the Brooder with the hens and let them raise their babies inside? And should I keep the two hens that are broody and hatching eggs separate from one another or can I put two hens in the same brooder with the chicks? help!
 
I would let them hatch in coop... and switch the whole flock to a flock raiser with oyster shell on the side for layers. It cost me $17-20 depending on which store I go to for 20% protein Purina flock raiser. Which I use because I always have broodies, chicks, roosters, layers, molters and so on. Last year had 82+ birds. Only the layers need that much calcium. It actually is a very practical solution (for me).. and actually more nutritious for most hens... but especially if they are dual purpose breeds and not light bodied layers like leghorn. The usual 16% in layer is the MINIMUM needed to sustain a hen during lay. I don't aim for minimums and higher protein (22%) was actually shown to give better hatch rates.

She likely won't leave the nest once hatching starts until the chicks are ready... has been my experience so far. She spends time clucking to them and they peeping to her so they can learn each others voices and not get separated when the leave the nest. I do however sometimes block them in because if a chick gets out might not be able to figure out how to get back into the nest and mum won't leave until all are ready. So the early adventurer may have a chilly fatality. I provide food and water very nearby broody mom once chicks start hatching and not before then. She has to go out to eat during incubation. My gals seem to pay attention to the weather and try to go out when it is warmest while sitting on eggs... however, I'm on Ca coast and so cold isn't quite the same as it can be other places. Make a nice thick layer of shavings or whatever you use (to help insulate the nest from underneath and mum will do the rest.

If you do let her sit.. it's important to mark the eggs very clearly (not in pencil because it rubs off), and check each night for and collect any eggs that may have been freshly deposited by other ladies. Otherwise you risk staggered hatching and confusion for the mom deciding when to leave the nest. Makes for possibility that the early or the late hatchers could end up neglected while trying to care for one or the other.

Whether you can house 2 broody's together will depend on the broody's. I have several in my standard coop at any given time. It can get a little confusing for the chicks since my girls look exactly the same. But the broody's very quickly peck away a chick that doesn't belong to them. Some however will actually co-parent! And when it comes to taking the chicks out and keeping them warm... not all broody's are created equal. I had one who was so focused on foraging she wouldn't listen to or settle down long enough for the smallest out of 3 chicks... which eventually succumbed to something one day when I wasn't home and the other 2 were fine. On the other hand I had a mom raising 9 chicks that never left a single one behind and settled when needed.

IF I was going to bring them in the house, it would be just for a short time to make sure everyone is thriving. Broody poo is the nastiest! :sick Though they are pretty easy to grab and get rid of since they are so big.

If you aren't ready for chicks... you could "break" both of your hens, simply by locking them away from their preferred nesting site. Wire bottom cage NOT needed unless that's your preference. I use an open bottom pen for daytime and the wire bottom only for night inside the coop. I won't let ANY girl sit if they are under 1 year old... their bodies and minds are still maturing and they will be much more equipped for brooding (pullets are usually about 1 pound lighter than hens. They lose condition and become shaky during sitting (older girls do to, but they aren't STILL growing). I't like letting a teenage raise kids verses someone in their mid to late 20's.

Very personal and tough decision. Every situation will be different... even with the same broody sometimes. And if they are currently broody... they very likely will be again before too long, if you do choose to break them.

Good luck with your ladies. It's a wonderful adventure and fantastic sight to behold! :jumpy:jumpy

ETA: Welcome to BYC! :wee
Hope you enjoy it as much as I do. :pop
 
Good morning Sighted, I read one of your posts about chicks being raised by their mom. My question is protection of the chicks from others in the flock.
We had a hen disappear about a month and a half ago, we thought something got her, but she reappeared with a family of 12. The chicks are a week old now, (all are fine), she enjoys taking them out for some scratching and pecking.
She attacked another hen that got too curious, but I'm concerned about what may happen when they start venturing a little further away from mom.
Do you have any experience with this kind of situation?
 
I would let them hatch in coop... and switch the whole flock to a flock raiser with oyster shell on the side for layers. It cost me $17-20 depending on which store I go to for 20% protein Purina flock raiser. Which I use because I always have broodies, chicks, roosters, layers, molters and so on. Last year had 82+ birds. Only the layers need that much calcium. It actually is a very practical solution (for me).. and actually more nutritious for most hens... but especially if they are dual purpose breeds and not light bodied layers like leghorn. The usual 16% in layer is the MINIMUM needed to sustain a hen during lay. I don't aim for minimums and higher protein (22%) was actually shown to give better hatch rates.

She likely won't leave the nest once hatching starts until the chicks are ready... has been my experience so far. She spends time clucking to them and they peeping to her so they can learn each others voices and not get separated when the leave the nest. I do however sometimes block them in because if a chick gets out might not be able to figure out how to get back into the nest and mum won't leave until all are ready. So the early adventurer may have a chilly fatality. I provide food and water very nearby broody mom once chicks start hatching and not before then. She has to go out to eat during incubation. My gals seem to pay attention to the weather and try to go out when it is warmest while sitting on eggs... however, I'm on Ca coast and so cold isn't quite the same as it can be other places. Make a nice thick layer of shavings or whatever you use (to help insulate the nest from underneath and mum will do the rest.

If you do let her sit.. it's important to mark the eggs very clearly (not in pencil because it rubs off), and check each night for and collect any eggs that may have been freshly deposited by other ladies. Otherwise you risk staggered hatching and confusion for the mom deciding when to leave the nest. Makes for possibility that the early or the late hatchers could end up neglected while trying to care for one or the other.

Whether you can house 2 broody's together will depend on the broody's. I have several in my standard coop at any given time. It can get a little confusing for the chicks since my girls look exactly the same. But the broody's very quickly peck away a chick that doesn't belong to them. Some however will actually co-parent! And when it comes to taking the chicks out and keeping them warm... not all broody's are created equal. I had one who was so focused on foraging she wouldn't listen to or settle down long enough for the smallest out of 3 chicks... which eventually succumbed to something one day when I wasn't home and the other 2 were fine. On the other hand I had a mom raising 9 chicks that never left a single one behind and settled when needed.

IF I was going to bring them in the house, it would be just for a short time to make sure everyone is thriving. Broody poo is the nastiest! :sick Though they are pretty easy to grab and get rid of since they are so big.

If you aren't ready for chicks... you could "break" both of your hens, simply by locking them away from their preferred nesting site. Wire bottom cage NOT needed unless that's your preference. I use an open bottom pen for daytime and the wire bottom only for night inside the coop. I won't let ANY girl sit if they are under 1 year old... their bodies and minds are still maturing and they will be much more equipped for brooding (pullets are usually about 1 pound lighter than hens. They lose condition and become shaky during sitting (older girls do to, but they aren't STILL growing). I't like letting a teenage raise kids verses someone in their mid to late 20's.

Very personal and tough decision. Every situation will be different... even with the same broody sometimes. And if they are currently broody... they very likely will be again before too long, if you do choose to break them.

Good luck with your ladies. It's a wonderful adventure and fantastic sight to behold! :jumpy:jumpy

ETA: Welcome to BYC! :wee
Hope you enjoy it as much as I do. :pop
Good morning @EggSighted4Life,
We currently have 2 broodies with 5 eggs a piece. Our little Silkies eggs started hatching Saturday night. As of this morning I confirm (by seeing them) that 3 have hatched already. I know that at least one egg hasn’t started to hatch yet (because I saw it too.). She was repositioning when I was in the right place to catch a peek. At last candle around day 15, I know that at least one of the eggs seemed to be smaller in development than the rest. At what point would it be a good idea to put that egg under broody #2 to see if she could hatch it? Broody #2 is due to hatch tomorrow. Also, thank you for the tip for water and food closer to her nest. I gave a small waterer and food bowl to Snowball (Silkie mama) this morning. She was so thirsty!
 
Good morning Sighted, I read one of your posts about chicks being raised by their mom. My question is protection of the chicks from others in the flock.
We had a hen disappear about a month and a half ago, we thought something got her, but she reappeared with a family of 12. The chicks are a week old now, (all are fine), she enjoys taking them out for some scratching and pecking.
She attacked another hen that got too curious, but I'm concerned about what may happen when they start venturing a little further away from mom.
Do you have any experience with this kind of situation?
Hi, welcome to BYC! :frow

What part of Oregon are in? I'm right at the Ca/Or border on the coast. :)
BY the time mom boots them they should be well enough integrated that other flock members shouldn't be too much of an issue. A little peck away from the food and they will run around to another place to grab some food. They will already know their place in the pecking order and will avoid confrontation with the bigger ladies. Rooster shouldn't be an issue until the boys get bigger and challenge him, if they do. Roos usually protect the chicks, call them to treats and such! :love

When the adventure just a little ways earlier on... mom will come running to their defense still. Oh boy are broody's ever a feisty force to be reckoned with! :cool:

At what point would it be a good idea to put that egg under broody #2 to see if she could hatch it?
You can candle the less developed egg and see if it is still developing. If so I would do it right away.

Is broody #2 also a Silkie? What kind of eggs is she hatching?

Congrats to you both! :jumpy :jumpy
 
Hi, welcome to BYC! :frow

What part of Oregon are in? I'm right at the Ca/Or border on the coast. :)
BY the time mom boots them they should be well enough integrated that other flock members shouldn't be too much of an issue. A little peck away from the food and they will run around to another place to grab some food. They will already know their place in the pecking order and will avoid confrontation with the bigger ladies. Rooster shouldn't be an issue until the boys get bigger and challenge him, if they do. Roos usually protect the chicks, call them to treats and such! :love

When the adventure just a little ways earlier on... mom will come running to their defense still. Oh boy are broody's ever a feisty force to be reckoned with! :cool:


You can candle the less developed egg and see if it is still developing. If so I would do it right away.

Is broody #2 also a Silkie? What kind of eggs is she hatching?

Congrats to you both! :jumpy :jumpy
Everything is going very well, their mom is THE BEST.
She hasn't lost even one! None sick or weak.
I never did get around to sexing them as she's kinda scary when it comes to messin' with her babies.
This has been a wonderful experience for me, and very unexpected since I thought she was lost to predation when she disappeared.
We live southeast of Salem...you're so lucky to live at the coast, it's my favorite place to visit, my brother lives in Newport.
Thanks so much for your reply.
 
I would let them hatch in coop... and switch the whole flock to a flock raiser with oyster shell on the side for layers. It cost me $17-20 depending on which store I go to for 20% protein Purina flock raiser. Which I use because I always have broodies, chicks, roosters, layers, molters and so on. Last year had 82+ birds. Only the layers need that much calcium. It actually is a very practical solution (for me).. and actually more nutritious for most hens... but especially if they are dual purpose breeds and not light bodied layers like leghorn. The usual 16% in layer is the MINIMUM needed to sustain a hen during lay. I don't aim for minimums and higher protein (22%) was actually shown to give better hatch rates.

She likely won't leave the nest once hatching starts until the chicks are ready... has been my experience so far. She spends time clucking to them and they peeping to her so they can learn each others voices and not get separated when the leave the nest. I do however sometimes block them in because if a chick gets out might not be able to figure out how to get back into the nest and mum won't leave until all are ready. So the early adventurer may have a chilly fatality. I provide food and water very nearby broody mom once chicks start hatching and not before then. She has to go out to eat during incubation. My gals seem to pay attention to the weather and try to go out when it is warmest while sitting on eggs... however, I'm on Ca coast and so cold isn't quite the same as it can be other places. Make a nice thick layer of shavings or whatever you use (to help insulate the nest from underneath and mum will do the rest.

If you do let her sit.. it's important to mark the eggs very clearly (not in pencil because it rubs off), and check each night for and collect any eggs that may have been freshly deposited by other ladies. Otherwise you risk staggered hatching and confusion for the mom deciding when to leave the nest. Makes for possibility that the early or the late hatchers could end up neglected while trying to care for one or the other.

Whether you can house 2 broody's together will depend on the broody's. I have several in my standard coop at any given time. It can get a little confusing for the chicks since my girls look exactly the same. But the broody's very quickly peck away a chick that doesn't belong to them. Some however will actually co-parent! And when it comes to taking the chicks out and keeping them warm... not all broody's are created equal. I had one who was so focused on foraging she wouldn't listen to or settle down long enough for the smallest out of 3 chicks... which eventually succumbed to something one day when I wasn't home and the other 2 were fine. On the other hand I had a mom raising 9 chicks that never left a single one behind and settled when needed.

IF I was going to bring them in the house, it would be just for a short time to make sure everyone is thriving. Broody poo is the nastiest! :sick Though they are pretty easy to grab and get rid of since they are so big.

If you aren't ready for chicks... you could "break" both of your hens, simply by locking them away from their preferred nesting site. Wire bottom cage NOT needed unless that's your preference. I use an open bottom pen for daytime and the wire bottom only for night inside the coop. I won't let ANY girl sit if they are under 1 year old... their bodies and minds are still maturing and they will be much more equipped for brooding (pullets are usually about 1 pound lighter than hens. They lose condition and become shaky during sitting (older girls do to, but they aren't STILL growing). I't like letting a teenage raise kids verses someone in their mid to late 20's.

Very personal and tough decision. Every situation will be different... even with the same broody sometimes. And if they are currently broody... they very likely will be again before too long, if you do choose to break them.

Good luck with your ladies. It's a wonderful adventure and fantastic sight to behold! :jumpy:jumpy

ETA: Welcome to BYC! :wee
Hope you enjoy it as much as I do. :pop
Great Advice!
 
Hi,


You can candle the less developed egg and see if it is still developing. If so I would do it right away.

Is broody #2 also a Silkie? What kind of eggs is she hatching?

Congrats to you both! :jumpy :jumpy

Thank you @EggSighted4Life!

I will candle after I post this. I already moved one of her eggs over to broody #2 earlier this morning. I was in the coop checking on things when I saw Snowball trying to keep: her 2 babies (who are very busy already) tucked under her while keeping egg #3 covered (it was trying to hatch) and egg #4 and egg #5 (both unhatched) also covered under her. Whew! It looked like a big job for her for sure. I went away and came back a little later and noticed egg #4 had gotten pushed out from behind her and was sitting uncovered. I had a thin latex-free glove on so I picked it up and it was cooler but not cold.. so in a split-second decision I decided to put it under broody #2. Who gladly accepted it. Her eggs are due to hatch tomorrow. She is a Black Australorp. Both originally had a combination of 5 Silkie, Showgirl, and Frizzled Silkie eggs.

If Snowball ends up with 2 less eggs today, will that mess her up? I know they don't count, but right now I'm probably more nervous than she is! :celebrate:jumpy:wee
 
Thank you @EggSighted4Life!

I will candle after I post this. I already moved one of her eggs over to broody #2 earlier this morning. I was in the coop checking on things when I saw Snowball trying to keep: her 2 babies (who are very busy already) tucked under her while keeping egg #3 covered (it was trying to hatch) and egg #4 and egg #5 (both unhatched) also covered under her. Whew! It looked like a big job for her for sure. I went away and came back a little later and noticed egg #4 had gotten pushed out from behind her and was sitting uncovered. I had a thin latex-free glove on so I picked it up and it was cooler but not cold.. so in a split-second decision I decided to put it under broody #2. Who gladly accepted it. Her eggs are due to hatch tomorrow. She is a Black Australorp. Both originally had a combination of 5 Silkie, Showgirl, and Frizzled Silkie eggs.

If Snowball ends up with 2 less eggs today, will that mess her up? I know they don't count, but right now I'm probably more nervous than she is! :celebrate:jumpy:wee

Ok, this egg.. was developing just fine.. so I put it under Jade (broody # 2). So, at this moment I have 2 babies about a day or 2 ahead of baby #3, who hatched sometime this morning all still under Snowball. She has food and water super close, and a barricade up at least until this afternoon when baby #3 is stronger. After I got out of her space, I saw her pulling food out of the dish and giving it to her babies... oh my goodness, super cool!!!

IMG_4690.JPG IMG_3961.JPG
 
Ok, this egg.. was developing just fine.. so I put it under Jade (broody # 2). So, at this moment I have 2 babies about a day or 2 ahead of baby #3, who hatched sometime this morning all still under Snowball. She has food and water super close, and a barricade up at least until this afternoon when baby #3 is stronger. After I got out of her space, I saw her pulling food out of the dish and giving it to her babies... oh my goodness, super cool!!!

View attachment 1293314 View attachment 1293315
:wee The miracle of life!

That kind of cuteness should be illegal. The first time I saw mom getting feed for chicks, I just fell in love. :love

I crush the crumbles a little extra for my bantam chicks at least the first week or until she takes them out.
 

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