Broody hen, hot temps and hatch day

[Karuh]

Aww I’m sorry. Is this her first time going broody? Has she ever raised chicks before? Often times I find that the first chick will get picked on a little as the mom figures out what it is and what to do with it, but then she will take care of them and be a good mom after that. If you don’t want to raise the chicks, you may still be able to have her do it, just watch them while you let them together and be ready to separate them if necessary.

I think that’s exactly what happened because I gave them back to her the next morning and watched her like a Hawk and now she’s a week in and fiercely protective over them

 

[Karuh]

I think that’s exactly what happened because I gave them back to her the next morning and watched her like a Hawk and now she’s a week in and fiercely protective over them

 

[Karuh]

I agree with this. I've had many dozens of broodies through the years, and almost all made good moms beginning with their very first clutch. However, I've had two first-time broodies that killed their first-hatched chicks. Both times I also had other broodies due to hatch, so I pulled the remaining eggs from the "bad moms." Both bad moms seemed very distressed and confused, so the next year I gave both another chance. The second time they hatched chicks, both were excellent moms and never again hurt their chicks. I think it's possible that sometimes a first-time mom doesn't know what to think about the wet-looking rat-like thing that emerged from their nice warm egg. It's also true that some broodies Will kill chicks, so definitely watch your broody closely if you decide to give her a chance. Or, raise these chicks yourself and give her a chance next time if you choose.

Just an FYI, I did bring my current broody, a black Australorp named Ruffles, inside today for the duration of the current extreme heat wave, which should break by this weekend. Her comb was pale and she was panting in her nest box this morn, and I didn't want to take any chance of losing her. I lost a broody Welsummer sitting on eggs si0x summers ago in similiar temps as today/this week, and I still feel sad. Follow your intuition when it comes to caring for chickens; it won't lead you astray. That goes for your possible "bad mom" too!

This is exactly what happened. I think she was just freaked out by the first one. The next day I gave them back because she was still sitting in the box with no eggs and no chicks. She still seemed like “what the heck did I just do” lol but she was more gentle with them and is now a fiercely protective momma!

 

[Allsfairinloveandbugs]

This is exactly what happened. I think she was just freaked out by the first one. The next day I gave them back because she was still sitting in the box with no eggs and no chicks. She still seemed like “what the heck did I just do” lol but she was more gentle with them and is now a fiercely protective momma!

I'm really glad that you decided to trust her, and even more glad that she proved she deserved your trust. Enjoy watching her teach and raise them; in my opinion there's no better chicken TV than watching a broody hen with chicks.

 

[Karuh]

I'm really glad that you decided to trust her, and even more glad that she proved she deserved your trust. Enjoy watching her teach and raise them; in my opinion there's no better chicken TV than watching a broody hen with chicks.

She seemed very determined … just kept sitting and sitting. I had to give her a second chance. I LOVE chicken tv! this is my other black astraulorp that went broody her name is bam bam. So happy I bought them for fertilized eggs this year and let be momma!