Broody hen, hot temps and hatch day

[Karuh]

I was wondering if I should move my broody hen indoors. Her eggs are due to hatch tomorrow and it suppose to get up above 100 and into the 110’s in a couple of days?

 

[Prince and Pavo]

Hello!

I personally wouldn’t move her or the eggs. I would just let nature take its course, and I think they will all be fine, especially if the high temps are normal where you are.

 

[Karuh]

Hello!

I personally wouldn’t move her or the eggs. I would just let nature take its course, and I think they will all be fine, especially if the high temps are normal where you are.

That’s what I was thinking, just trying to trust the process lol

 

[Prince and Pavo]

I’ve found that in warmer weather, the chicks often venture farther from the mom than they would if it was colder. This makes it more dangerous for them and they are more exposed to predators and other dangers, so I would just suggest to maybe keep a closer eye on them and check on them every once in a while to make sure that they’re all okay, especially while they’re very young.

 

[Karuh]

I’ve found that in warmer weather, the chicks often venture farther from the mom than they would if it was colder. This makes it more dangerous for them and they are more exposed to predators and other dangers, so I would just suggest to maybe keep a closer eye on them and check on them every once in a while to make sure that they’re all okay, especially while they’re very young.

Thank you so much!

 

[Allsfairinloveandbugs]

Make sure your broody has fresh cool water near her nest box, and check on her frequently to make sure she is tolerating the heat ok while she is hatching her chicks. I currently have one broody sitting on eggs, and my temps are currently similiar to yours, reaching 104-106 this week, with heat indexes up to 115. I won't hesitate to bring her inside my house if she seems heat-stressed, but so far she is OK. I have also had chicks get shrink-wrapped when the temp is similarly hot, so you may need to monitor for that issue too.

 

[Karuh]

Make sure your broody has fresh cool water near her nest box, and check on her frequently to make sure she is tolerating the heat ok while she is hatching her chicks. I currently have one broody sitting on eggs, and my temps are currently similiar to yours, reaching 104-106 this week, with heat indexes up to 115. I won't hesitate to bring her inside my house if she seems heat-stressed, but so far she is OK. I have also had chicks get shrink-wrapped when the temp is similarly hot, so you may need to monitor for that issue too.

Turns out I’ll be raising her chicks

 

[Auntiejessi3]

Turns out I’ll be raising her chicks

At least you caught it early

 

[Prince and Pavo]

Turns out I’ll be raising her chicks

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.

 

[Allsfairinloveandbugs]

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 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!