Broody Hen Thread!

[weeshanti]

Just a quick question.....
I have made a coop and run for her to go in once they have hatched so birds/hens don't eat or peck the chicks and so they are all kept safe BUT do I put her in now with the eggs (due in 2 days) or when the eggs have all hatched? I don't want all the other hens pecking the chicks before they have all had a chance to hatch and i don't want her to leave her nest! Thanks!

I am new to this rodeo, but I moved my hen as soon as I found her to prevent the chicks being compromised when they hatched. I can't imagine she would have let me move her after they hatched, as she won't let me near her now, but she was quite docile when she was in her setting trance. I suggest moving her to her new digs before hatch so she can be secure and just hang out there once they arrive.

 

[Chookin gooood]

Thankyou! has anyone else done this! i dont have an incubatopr so it would be devastating if she left them now! I will do this tomorrow as im finishing the coop still now! Thanks!

 

[weeshanti]

Devastated.

I just went out to check on Chickadee and her three wee peeps, and only one peep is left. I have no idea what happened. I can only think something slinky must have broken into her coop separator last night, so I have shut her back in the dog crate. I'm just crushed. I was going to take out the seven remaining eggs today, but she is firmly back on them and clearly stressed out, so I left her for now. I can't imagine they will hatch now after a full day of her ignoring them. So sad.

I suppose the season is young and I have other hens, but still. What a loss.

 

[autumnjanene]

Help! My broody hen just hatched 3 chicks this morning but the nest is 4 feet high so obviously she can't raise them there. i need to move them to their brooder, when is the best time to do this? I'd move them now but there's no telling if she's done hatching... should I wait until night time to move them?

 

[chicken farmer]

If the hen is taking care of them then she would probably stay on the ground with them if you make a little nest on the ground of the coop make it out of a dog crate or a box or something the mom and chicks can get into or lead a sturdy board up to the nests so the chicks can follow momma, but if you want to move them do it and if she hacthes more just go ahead and put thme in there with them but if the chicks are gone momma hen is gonna me mad and stressed out....top choice is better

 

[autumnjanene]

The problem is that she's in the nest (on the upper right side) and the brooder is that thing with the two screened door. I don't think I can put a ramp up to the nest because it'll be too steep for the chicks. I think I'll have to move them to that brooder tonight

 

[Chookin gooood]

Weeshanti- I am sooo sorry to hear about your loss! That must be absolutley devastating!!! If i were you I'd be searching my area for day old chicks to put with the other ones! I really hope you get some more this year!!
Maybe this may save more chicks in the future as you learn from this sad experience!
Very sorry to hear about this!!! Lots of hugs coming from me!

 

[suncatcher]

The husband told me no more chicks. . . . So I brought home 11 fertile eggs for my Broody Buff Orp! (he just laughed at me and said "Touche, I knew you would find a way") She took to them wonderfully and the count down has begun! The kids are making a calendar to keep track of the days! 20 more to go!

Too funny!!! Where there is a will, there is a way!

 

[melina90]

Devastated.

I just went out to check on Chickadee and her three wee peeps, and only one peep is left. I have no idea what happened. I can only think something slinky must have broken into her coop separator last night, so I have shut her back in the dog crate. I'm just crushed. I was going to take out the seven remaining eggs today, but she is firmly back on them and clearly stressed out, so I left her for now. I can't imagine they will hatch now after a full day of her ignoring them. So sad.

I suppose the season is young and I have other hens, but still. What a loss.

Aww, I'm so sorry! Crossing my fingers that your other eggs will hatch shortly. I've had eggs survive being left stone cold outside, so it's possible!

 

[el pollo rey]

Aww, I'm so sorry! Crossing my fingers that your other eggs will hatch shortly. I've had eggs survive being left stone cold outside, so it's possible!

sorry to hear that ,,,