Broody Hen Thread!

[Jessimom]

We have had 5 of 7 eggs hatch under my two broodies, so far. My 2 chickens went broody about 4 days apart, but I thought 5 eggs started out under the first hen, than 2 the second. It appears I was backwards. 2 were born last Tues, then 1 a day for the past 3 days.

The ones that have hatched are all healthy and strong! I'm still hoping the last 2 will make it!!

Having them this way is WAY, way, way cuter than in the incubator. You don't see the babies until they are dry and fluffy!! That is, unless you pick up mama to check under her.....

 

[randiferina]

Hi everyone! I just got my flock started in June of last year (so my chickens are almost a year old) and I have 7 hens and 1 rooster.. This will be their first spring and I wanted to let some of the ladies hatch some eggs.. I'm just wondering the best way to go about it. I'm completely new and clueless about all of this lol... None of them seem broody at all.. I have a silkie and a RIR hen that sometimes seem interested in the eggs in the nesting box... They'll go in and fix the nest and adjust the eggs.. Sit for a minute and then get up.. The rooster only handles his business with 3 of the 7 hens (the other 4 kinda of separate themselves and won't have much to do with the roo).. So this week, I've left the eggs that I knew were fertile in a nest that one of them made hoping to encourage someone to sit on them.. I removed the eggs that I knew were not fertile... No one seems interested in taking on the responsibility lol what gives?!

 

[Greg88]

We have had 5 of 7 eggs hatch under my two broodies, so far. My 2 chickens went broody about 4 days apart, but I thought 5 eggs started out under the first hen, than 2 the second. It appears I was backwards. 2 were born last Tues, then 1 a day for the past 3 days.

The ones that have hatched are all healthy and strong! I'm still hoping the last 2 will make it!!

Having them this way is WAY, way, way cuter than in the incubator. You don't see the babies until they are dry and fluffy!! That is, unless you pick up mama to check under her.....

 

[DinaKay]

Putting chicks with Ma was rather touchy last nite. First chick Ma was pecking hard at, pulled chick figuring she thought I was taking eggs. So I sat patiently with peeping chick in hand, MA started frantically looking around then back behind her so I quickly dropped chick beside her. She turned around and started gently pecking at it and then tucked it under.WHEW..one down 3 more to go. Repeated above and all went well! I think Ma was a little perplexed that they wanted food and water this morning

 

[Crista]

DinaKay So you gave her the chicks in the light? Hmmm I had pictured sneaking them under her at night by flashlight and hope she didn't notice. Lol

 

[16 paws]

Will a silkie adopt chicks even if she is not broody

I dont think so but I have honestly never tried it....
Marie

 

[16 paws]

Hi everyone! I just got my flock started in June of last year (so my chickens are almost a year old) and I have 7 hens and 1 rooster.. This will be their first spring and I wanted to let some of the ladies hatch some eggs.. I'm just wondering the best way to go about it. I'm completely new and clueless about all of this lol... None of them seem broody at all.. I have a silkie and a RIR hen that sometimes seem interested in the eggs in the nesting box... They'll go in and fix the nest and adjust the eggs.. Sit for a minute and then get up.. The rooster only handles his business with 3 of the 7 hens (the other 4 kinda of separate themselves and won't have much to do with the roo).. So this week, I've left the eggs that I knew were fertile in a nest that one of them made hoping to encourage someone to sit on them.. I removed the eggs that I knew were not fertile... No one seems interested in taking on the responsibility lol what gives?!

It all happens when they are ready....Their hormones have to kick in to let them know its time to brood. You can only encourage them with eggs and the rest is up to them. I just had a silkie hatch 7 eggs on St. Patricks Day. I bet your silkie will go broody before the rir. They can go broody at any time of the year, not just spring. So just sit back and watch....

 

[16 paws]

We have had 5 of 7 eggs hatch under my two broodies, so far. My 2 chickens went broody about 4 days apart, but I thought 5 eggs started out under the first hen, than 2 the second. It appears I was backwards. 2 were born last Tues, then 1 a day for the past 3 days.

The ones that have hatched are all healthy and strong! I'm still hoping the last 2 will make it!!

Having them this way is WAY, way, way cuter than in the incubator. You don't see the babies until they are dry and fluffy!! That is, unless you pick up mama to check under her.....

Hi from Vista ca,

Where abouts are you? Yes, I love letting mama hatch and raise them. It is so much fun watching mama with them isnt it?
Congratulations!

 

[16 paws]

Ok, I have an up-date.....

My bantam buff frizzle cochin has been broody for a few weeks. I have been taking her eggs away everyday. She was brooding in a nest box in the main coop so I would remove her eggs everyday. On saturday it was chicks day at the feed store, they were susposed to get in some cream legbars and I wanted to add some to my flock. Got down there and the legbars didnt come in!

So we went ahead and got 2 Americanas, 2 Salmom Faveroles and 1 Sicilian Buttercup.
Cute little buggers.
This is Taffy with her 5 little adopted babies, she is really tiny


Here is a picture of Puff with her littles

 

[Klay]

Ok, I have an up-date..... My bantam buff frizzle cochin has been broody for a few weeks. I have been taking her eggs away everyday. She was brooding in a nest box in the main coop so I would remove her eggs everyday. On saturday it was chicks day at the feed store, they were susposed to get in some cream legbars and I wanted to add some to my flock. Got down there and the legbars didnt come in! So we went ahead and got 2 Americanas, 2 Salmom Faveroles and 1 Sicilian Buttercup. Cute little buggers. This is Taffy with her 5 little adopted babies, she is really tiny Here is a picture of Puff with her littles

Just curious. Where do u live and where did u buy the salmon faverolles