Broody Hen Thread!

[SIMZ]

SIMZ, now you know that would not be My advice-----LOL-----I Move ALL My Broodies to a private hatching pen----so they are not bothered and so they will have a great hatch.  Those 62 gave me close 500 chicks-----now keep in mind most of my broodies are game hens.

WOW! That's very impressive. I mixed up advice, but I know I've taken some from you, too! Really, the reason it took her all summer was mostly her fault. I've had about 7 broodies hatch this summer - about triple what usually happens.

 

[PD-Riverman]

WOW! That's very impressive.

--Those almost 500 plus the over 5000 I hatched in the incubators---kept me busy for a while.

 

[bbond]

I'm back to raising chickens after about a 7 year break. One of my white austras has gone broody and I am concerned that it's a little late in the year. We are in Tennessee so it can be a little milder than places further north. Are there any tips for making sure she is comfortable and has the best chance of hatching out the chicks? I've put food in the coop with her and it is still fairly warm in the coop. The others don't bother her as the is the most dominant hen. Any tips would be greatly appreciated.

 

[fisherlady]

I'm back to raising chickens after about a 7 year break. One of my white austras has gone broody and I am concerned that it's a little late in the year. We are in Tennessee so it can be a little milder than places further north. Are there any tips for making sure she is comfortable and has the best chance of hatching out the chicks? I've put food in the coop with her and it is still fairly warm in the coop. The others don't bother her as the is the most dominant hen. Any tips would be greatly appreciated.

Our hens hatch year round in Pennsylvania weather...
Provide her with a well padded nest to help insulate her eggs from cold from underneath, make sure her environment is as draft free as possible and if possible provide her with a draft free area for the first 3 or 4 days with the chicks, it will give her time to teach them to come when she calls and will give them time to get some strength before facing any inclement weather without protection.
We have a couple of areas in our coops which are about 15 sq feet with sand covered floors. The broodies are able to nest with the chicks in one corner, food and water are in far corners and she can move around on the floor scratching for goodies we scatter. This has worked for many, many winter hatches...the hens will then take the littles outside when weather permits. We see hens out with week old chicks in 15 degree temps sometimes. It is amazing how hardy they can be with just a bit of protection available.

 

[suliah]

Last night... my first successful broody! She's still hatching them out, not sure how many she's got. she had 12 eggs though.
And these are what I hatched inside... So far... Still pipping!


If it's light light gray, and came from my blue marans hen (I also have a blue marans roo and a barred rock roo) does that mean it's a splash???

 

[Bejammie]

I purchased my first Roo and I'm trying to get a hen to go broody. I know you can't make a hen go broody, but anything I can do to give her optimum conditions? I need chicks in November and I want them for free. lol

 

[fisherlady]

I purchased my first Roo and I'm trying to get a hen to go broody. I know you can't make a hen go broody, but anything I can do to give her optimum conditions? I need chicks in November and I want them for free. lol

My hens prefer darker nest areas, and secluded or very well protected areas seem most popular. So we have multiple box styles and locations, usually with opening facing away from light sources. Comfy bedding which is deep enough to keep the hen's belly warm can help (and makes it easier for the hen to keep the eggs warm)
If you can provide a few 'hidden' nests and put 3-4 fake eggs in them it may get her thinking, or at least improve the odds.

 

[bbond]

Last night... my first successful broody! She's still hatching them out, not sure how many she's got. she had 12 eggs though. And these are what I hatched inside... So far... Still pipping! If it's light light gray, and came from my blue marans hen (I also have a blue marans roo and a barred rock roo) does that mean it's a splash???

So cute!!

 

[Bejammie]

So if I put fake eggs out there, should I also stop collecting some eggs for a few days so they sit out there even if she isn't sitting on them yet? lol as you can tell this is my first go round

 

[phryan]

Thanks to everyone for the help, third attempt 9 of 12. The hen took her chicks outside for the first time today (day 5), it was in the 50s and windy. A few pics...

The chick is fine.


She found a spot that was still getting some sun and sat/hovered.