Broody Hen Thread!

[Lady of McCamley]

I got my eggs in the mail today for my broodies! They should rest 24. Should I put them under the hens tomorrow night (24 hours exactly) or wait a little longer and put them in the following morning?

You need to candle them to see what the state of the air cells are and if there are any hairline cracks from shipping or other deformities that would make the egg undesirable for hatching (overly pourous, shell defects from laying). Eliminate those with cracks and serious shell imperfections (hopefully the breeder sent only quality eggs).

A good air cell will be attached at the fat end of the egg...that little pocket you see at the fat end when you crack open an egg.

A detached air cell will roll with the egg as you turn it acting like the bubble on a carpenter's level.

Mark any eggs with detached air cells, then place eggs fat side up (pointy side down) in an egg carton for 24 hours. Recheck eggs for any detached air cells, eliminate those which still have detached air cells. (You may choose to let them sit for another 24 to 48 hours, but generally if they haven't settled by 24 hours, they aren't).

Set the good eggs with the hen. I've done it at night and during the day depending upon the hen. Truly broody hens don't mind when you hand them eggs. They will even roll them under for you and peck at you to go away and let them work.

Happy hatching!  Keep us posted on the progress.

LofMc

 

[the poppster]

Well I received my Serma eggs yesterday....set them in an egg carton over night...broody cage is complete...Will be picking out the broody when I get home....and transfer her to the cage...give her a few fake eggs and see how she settles in...if things are looking good, she seems comfortable I'm going to give her the eggs...and start the count down! First year for both girls....but they both have a Silkie for a dad so hopefully it will just come naturally...cross my fingers and trust in old mother nature!

 

[WVduckchick]

Howdy folks!

Just found this thread, as I believe I have my first broody. Actually two -- a duck trying to be broody I think, and now an OEGB chick. So I need to go back and read up some! I recognize a few faces here so thought I'd pop in and say hello!

 

[microchick]

16paws, I'm so sorry to hear about Little Bit. The little ones can leave such big footprints on your heart.

 

[Dani4Hedgies]

And we have our first completed hatch at school am tying to post a pic but it won't ad it.

 

[James Beller]

I have 9 broodies 3 walking with chicks and 1 hatching chicks out right now. the other 5 atill have a wait to go. 3/5 polish hens have gone broody so far OMGosh. They are pure polish also.

 

[WildHens]

Anyone ever leg band chicks that are under a broody? I never have in the past but I would like to band this batch. I'm just worried the hen may not appreciate them and try to peck them off. Thoughts?

I used the small black zip ties I found at a dollar store.. they seemed to be much more flexible than those I use on the bigger chick's and adults I get at hardware and auto stores.. my hen hasn't paid a bit of attention to them, but of course she's a silkie, and I don't think they're the brightest to begin with.

 

[WildHens]

My oldest daughter & I got home from her Choir Concert Saturday night at 11:30, and I went to check on the chicks. Found Little Bit off the the side and unresponsive. She was limp, would not open her eyes or even peep. She was running around like crazy the night before, and my hubby saw her moving around Saturday afternoon. She passed away in my hand around midnight.
My oldest & I buried her Sunday Morning. The other 3 are doing well, but it was sad that Little Bit, hatched out on her own, but only lived for 4 days. I watched her, to make sure she was getting enough to eat and drink. Her siblings did not mess with her. And she liked to be tucked under Mama's wing. If Mama gave the dinner call, she was out and eating with the others.

I so wanted to see what she was going to look like when she grew up.

Sorry
It's always the ones we are most attached to ♡♡

 

[Tayten B]

I have a pair of pigeons that found a pheasant egg and are sitting on it

and a male cortnix quail that is about 2.5 weeks in on a 50/50 ish mix of bob white eggs and cortnix eggs I dont know the exact amount

and not long before my ring neck pheasants should sit last year I pulled off with 5 hens 6 broods hatched 4 survived 4,5,6,7 number of chicks in broods the 6 and 7 hatched 1 day apart so both hens and 13 little ones went in the modified chicken tractor slash brooder and the hens did not care all the babies where one big happy family

 

[WildHens]

I have 9 broodies 3 walking with chicks and 1 hatching chicks out right now.  the other 5 atill have a wait to go.  3/5 polish hens have gone broody so far OMGosh.  They are pure polish also. 

That's pretty neat. My Polish wouldn't know what to do with a nest of eggs..