Broody Hen Thread!

[microchick]

Yeah, I'm surprised they didn't stay by mom either. Little devils. I just got back from a dental check up and found our 3 week olds begging to be let out along with Mom so I let them out in their pen and they immediately ran for the dust bath hole and dove in. Not all that warm out today but they seem to be enjoying themselves.

Thanks for the terminology clarification cscarney. Saddle feathers are the ones that always confuse me. I always confuse them with Sickle feathers for some reason.

My chicks surprised me a couple of days ago when they were out with mom in their little pen. One of the roosters saw a small hawk fly across the yard and immediately let out with a deep warning growl that roosters make. Those chicks immediately stopped their sunning and dirt bathing and without urging from mom, jumped up and ran into the coop. They didn't run for mom, they headed for home and didn't come out until mom coaxed them to join her back outside.

So is response to the warning call inherent or learned? Mom sort of shuffled after them but they took their cue from one of their daddies.

 

[Wendy High]

Ok here is my up-date

Today is day 20 for my white silkie Puff. I went down to the coop to check on things and I could not help myself. I lifted her up a wee bit to sneak a quick peek and lo and behold caught a very quick glimpse of a baby just getting out of the shell. I quickly took my hand out and backed off. I was afraid I was going to mess something up! 

So I have to use all my strength not to keep going in there to try and see if anything else is happening! I didn't candle the eggs because I thought whatever will be will be and now I cant wait to see what will be! lol this is so exciting......no wonder we are all helplessly hooked e  
Can hardly wait for tomorrow to see if any of the 7 blue eggs hatch from the Lavender Americana
Stand by all......

Hanging, standing, etc. Can't wait to see update.

 

[fisherlady]

Janeway has decided her chicks should be on the high roost shelf now, they are 4 weeks old...and since Jo cut the apron strings on her 6 week Olds a few days ago they decided they wanted to hang with Janeway and her chicks, and she has adopted them with out fuss, so they lucked into a few more weeks of broody spoiling! Lol

And our barnyard mix hen, Brownie, is due this weekend...

And we just gave our Light Sussex, Laverne, hatching eggs on Tuesday, so 19 days to go with her...

 

[microchick]

Hanging, standing, etc. Can't wait to see update.

Update? Heck I want pictures!

 

[Justplainchickn]

Thank you! This has been so much fun having chickens. New challenges all the time. The cool thing I realized the other day and was not even planned, these eggs should hatch the same day Cleopatra did. Thought it was too cool. Really neat watching chickens hatch in the incubator last year but really excited to see a chicken hatch them out

 

[Justplainchickn]

.

 

[Justplainchickn]

Janeway has decided her chicks should be on the high roost shelf now, they are 4 weeks old...and since Jo cut the apron strings on her 6 week Olds a few days ago they decided they wanted to hang with Janeway and her chicks, and she has adopted them with out fuss, so they lucked into a few more weeks of broody spoiling! Lol

And our barnyard mix hen, Brownie, is due this weekend...

And we just gave our Light Sussex, Laverne, hatching eggs on Tuesday, so 19 days to go with her...

Love the pictures super cute! Really like mom with the chicks on the high shelf/nest

 

[Crista]

We'll I m not sure I m in the right place, but I m just so excited I just about can't stand it

I could have babies sometime this week or so. One started the set. And after a couple days of indecision, someone else took over and is finishing the job. Since I wasn't paying attention, I m not sure when it started.

But I m sure enjoying it.

 

[MulberryRowFarm]

First time chicken owner with broody hen. Um...yeah. She is a silver laced wyandott. I have no clue as to what I am doing. I will do research, but for the most part, I will have to trust she knows what she is doing. At least is not snowing anymore.

 

[microchick]

Yeah I hear ya @MulberryRowFarm My hen decided that she wanted to have herself a brood of chicks the first part of February. Ran our electric bill up providing heat for her and now for her and her chicks. At least spring is just about ready to well, spring here. Lots of fresh grass and bugs abounding. I figure at this point that she knows what she needs to do so I may as well let her do it.