Broody Hen Thread!

[WVduckchick]

I just went to check on my broody and now have 2 girls in the nest box, sharing the eggs. I counted at least 7 eggs. They didn't object too much, just a little hissing at me.

 

[crealbilly]

Best of luck
Can't wait to see pics ..of the redo and chicks ♡♡

No chicks yet but here's the hen high-rise. Complete with door and sliding removable poop floor. She now has her own water and feed. When her chicks hatch they can't get out until I take them out. This gives her another 15 X 27 inches in addition to the 12x12 next box she is sittin in. She is isolated from the rest of the flock but can still see and hear them. Of course she had to pick the middle of the nest box row to brood in - oh well the other hens will have to deal with for a while.

 

[RachaelR32]

Can bantam chicks get through 1" mesh? I'm trying to figure out where to house my broody once the chicks hatch. The chicken tractor she is brooding in has 1" square welded mesh all round. The 'house'end has wood over the outside of the mesh. I am concerned chicks could get trapped between the mesh and the wood. Its not the ideal brooding spot but she didn't like it when I tried to move her. If the chicks will be able to get through the mesh I'll have to move her when they hatch so I'll need to plan that now.

 

[WVduckchick]

No chicks yet but here's the hen high-rise. Complete with door and sliding removable poop floor. She now has her own water and feed. When her chicks hatch they can't get out until I take them out. This gives her another 15 X 27 inches in addition to the 12x12 next box she is sittin in. She is isolated from the rest of the flock but can still see and hear them. Of course she had to pick the middle of the nest box row to brood in - oh well the other hens will have to deal with for a while.

Looks great. You've given me some great ideas on separating my girls.

 

[PD-Riverman]

No chicks yet but here's the hen high-rise. Complete with door and sliding removable poop floor. She now has her own water and feed. When her chicks hatch they can't get out until I take them out. This gives her another 15 X 27 inches in addition to the 12x12 next box she is sittin in. She is isolated from the rest of the flock but can still see and hear them. Of course she had to pick the middle of the nest box row to brood in - oh well the other hens will have to deal with for a while.

Hello, just for info, just hatched chicks will go right through that chicken wire----you might want to do something before then. Good Luck!

 

[SunHwaKwon]

Can bantam chicks get through 1" mesh? I'm trying to figure out where to house my broody once the chicks hatch. The chicken tractor she is brooding in has 1" square welded mesh all round. The 'house'end has wood over the outside of the mesh. I am concerned chicks could get trapped between the mesh and the wood. Its not the ideal brooding spot but she didn't like it when I tried to move her. If the chicks will be able to get through the mesh I'll have to move her when they hatch so I'll need to plan that now.

Mine are bantam chicks. I use 1/2" or smaller so I don't know for sure but I know that mine could definitely get at least their heads through 1". They grow so fast though that that will soon pass so if you can cover the bottom 4-5" with something, even cardboard, that should help until they get too big to fit through.

 

[Huggerlady]

I won't be home for this hatch and it's the first in a very long time. I was going to move her away from the flock but "chickened out". Problem is a young roo is 10 months. He constantly chases and rapes the girls. I have 2 other roo,'s with good manners. Will this young idiot bother her and the chicks?

 

[nchls school]

Day one and I've already made a mistake!!!!

I split 16 eggs between 2 broodies last night. This afternoon one of the girls was in the run off the eggs I have no idea for how long. She has been broody for a little over a week. She was eating so I didn't worry. About 10 minutes later I noticed she was on the roost. I panicked and felt her eggs. They weren't really warm so I stuffed all but one under the other broody and threw fake eggs in her box.

I went back down about 30 minutes later and she was back on her eggs. I then pulled a few from the other broody and removed the fakes. Have I screwed up? Should I block the run and put the feeder and waterer in the coop? They were both broody for a while before I gave them eggs. Now one has 11 and she has about 4.

Any advise?

If the hen is still brooding I would guess that you panicked for naught. I've had hens stay off the nest for over 30 minutes and the eggs hatched fine. I've read a number of posts from people who had their incubator stop working for one reason or another. Even after an hour of no heat the eggs hatched.

However, if the hen stays off the nest beyond thirty minutes, consider giving the eggs to another broody. Depending on the breed of the broody and the type of eggs, 16 eggs is not too many for one hen.

Not all broody hens are good at sticking to their nest.

 

[goldie1234]

 Sadly that is the risk with shipped eggs and new broodies. Somebody may quit. You should always have a back up plan (like an incubator to pull out) if someone does quit.

I think you did the right thing. There are times I have "musical nests" as well.

Just watch this hen. Keep a smaller load under her. It may help to block her exit or provide an isolated run for her so that she doesn't get confused where her nest is. They will do that, and some get totally out of the mood then. Others set up shop in a new place. Either way the eggs are left cold to the elements. Making sure the hen can't forget where her nest is a good way to prevent that.

LofMc

If the hen is still brooding I would guess that you panicked for naught. I've had hens stay off the nest for over 30 minutes and the eggs hatched fine. I've read a number of posts from people who had their incubator stop working for one reason or another. Even after an hour of no heat the eggs hatched.

However, if the hen stays off the nest beyond thirty minutes, consider giving the eggs to another broody. Depending on the breed of the broody and the type of eggs, 16 eggs is not too many for one hen.

Not all broody hens are good at sticking to their nest.

Thank you! I gave her back about 4 or 5 more eggs. The other broody is a jersey giant (from a hatchery so really just a big black girl) so all but one actually fit!
Hopefully this works!

 

[PD-Riverman]

Can bantam chicks get through 1" mesh? I'm trying to figure out where to house my broody once the chicks hatch. The chicken tractor she is brooding in has 1" square welded mesh all round. The 'house'end has wood over the outside of the mesh. I am concerned chicks could get trapped between the mesh and the wood. Its not the ideal brooding spot but she didn't like it when I tried to move her. If the chicks will be able to get through the mesh I'll have to move her when they hatch so I'll need to plan that now.

Regular size chicks can get through 1"----chicks need 1/2x1/2 to keep them in safe.