Broody Hen Thread!

[JayJo]

OK, thanks for the advice. I'll wrap the kennel with hardware cloth and try to get the plastic tub under her tomorrow, and then tomorrow night in the dark I'll try transferring her. I'll let her know how it goes! Thanks for the advice!

Congrats on your new babies @WVduckchick !

On my end, I decided it makes more sense to build a better brooder box than wrap that kennel in hardware cloth. And at the same time, the curtains around the nesting box where my broody is laying seems to have helped with the kerfluffles in the nesting boxes, at least temporarily. So long story short, I did not try to move my broody last night. We'll see how fast I can get the new brooder box built; I may still transfer her before they hatch, and if not I'll wait till after. Thanks for your help again @PD-Riverman

 

[WVduckchick]

Congrats on your new babies @WVduckchick
!

On my end, I decided it makes more sense to build a better brooder box than wrap that kennel in hardware cloth.  And at the same time, the curtains around the nesting box where my broody is laying seems to have helped with the kerfluffles in the nesting boxes, at least temporarily.  So long story short, I did not try to move my broody last night.  We'll see how fast I can get the new brooder box built; I may still transfer her before they hatch, and if not I'll wait till after.  Thanks for your help again @PD-Riverman

Thanks and let us know how it goes.

Now go get on that new box

 

[goldie1234]

My first hatch! Today is day 21. I found this little guy. I have 2 broodies with 8 eggs each. I got 15 shipped and threw one of my own eggs in there. I'm certain this is from my egg. The chick is white and the shipped eggs should not produce white chicks.
I'm not really hearing anything and I don't want to look under them. I've checked on the twice today to make sure there is now issues since I have 2. They were all set the same day.

1. How long do I give them before I look under them?

2. What do I do if only one chick hatches? Break the other hen?

3. I candled eggs at day 10 and 14, but I have no idea what I saw (dark eggs) so I left all 16 eggs under the hens. I'm worried I got damaged eggs. Can I check on them too often? I'm just opening the doors and listening and looking. I'm not touching the hens, but the do move and puff up.

 

[mossyroo]

I've been waiting 2 yrs for a broody hen. Just had to get rid of our roos because the were aggressive towards wife and grands. Probably get a broody now.

Well, it happened and chicken math has struck with a vengeance. After I culled the roos I was left with 7 layers. I ordered 15 chicks from Murry (got 16 and lost 3 to something before moving them into house.) While waiting for my chick delivery a friend gave us 5 SLWs that were just starting to lay so we were up to 12 with chicks on the way. Chicks arrived and I have now built a juvenile addition to the coop and moved my 13 not quite so young'uns back outside. In the meantime, I had 2 hens go broody so naturally I had to get a dozen eggs to split between them. They are now in their 2nd week on the eggs and doing fine..

 

[PD-Riverman]

My first hatch! Today is day 21. I found this little guy. I have 2 broodies with 8 eggs each. I got 15 shipped and threw one of my own eggs in there. I'm certain this is from my egg. The chick is white and the shipped eggs should not produce white chicks.
I'm not really hearing anything and I don't want to look under them. I've checked on the twice today to make sure there is now issues since I have 2. They were all set the same day.

1. How long do I give them before I look under them?

2. What do I do if only one chick hatches? Break the other hen?

3. I candled eggs at day 10 and 14, but I have no idea what I saw (dark eggs) so I left all 16 eggs under the hens. I'm worried I got damaged eggs. Can I check on them too often? I'm just opening the doors and listening and looking. I'm not touching the hens, but the do move and puff up.

Don't work for a day or so-------when you put the eggs under them did you count the NEXT day at the same time as Day 1??? ""I"" would not get close enough to her to get her standing and puffing up at you. I would allow her time----she might not stay on the nest if the others are no good---give her a couple more days. I always wait till the hen comes off the nest with the chick, but in your case---In a couple more days I would look under her/them to see whats going on----if none of the other eggs have hatched or piped I would candle them----or water test them if you do not know how to candle. If you determine they are no good """I""" would break the other hen-----some will reset her----""I"" have enough broodies so I do not do that---I let her take a break and get her health back o normal. Good Luck!!!

 

[16 paws]

That is so awesome! So my question is, how do you know she is blind, is it that grey/bluish colored eyes? Perhaps her vision will develop a little bit after a couple of weeks, like how human babes and other animals do.... ?

I am rooting for her for sure! Good job momma !

Hi there,
Sorry it took so long to get back to you. I had another emergency to deal, rooster that cant walk. I have had my share of these things now!!!!

Back to the chick.
When she was attacked one eye was pecked out but the other eye seemed not to be injured but she would not open it. I treated both eyes with an antibiotic eye cream but she was still not opening it. I finally tried to open it myself and after a few days of doing that she keeps it open now. The reason I think she cant see out of it is that she runs into things. I keep her in a small area with two of her hatch mates so she can find food and water. She is doing great but I still dont know if she can see a little or not. I have just started returning her and her other 2 hatch mates to mama along with 3 other chicks mama still is caring for. She seems to like it but sometimes she gets stepped on my mama. Her mama is small, a bantam cochin, so I dont think the baby will be hurt. I think it is beneficial for her to be with mama as she grows. I did notice that the chicks that were left with mama from the beginning are quite a bit bigger than the ones I brooded. I find that interesting....I believe that mama is always showing them the food to remind them to eat.
Anyway I am happy with her progress so far and I an hopeful she will have some sort of vision.
Thanks for your interest.
Marie

 

[the poppster]

Well, Three out of ten Serma (spelling?) Anyway if nothing happened to them, hen is a first timer, I should have three little ones running around with their mom...when I get home. I know it seems like a low hatch rate...but I'm just glad I ended up with three!
I'm keeping my fingers crossed....hopefully all will be fine....

 

[16 paws]

Well, Three out of ten Serma (spelling?) Anyway if nothing happened to them, hen is a first timer, I should have three little ones running around with their mom...when I get home. I know it seems like a low hatch rate...but I'm just glad I ended up with three!
I'm keeping my fingers crossed....hopefully all will be fine....

Cant wait to see them. My hen Taffy is sitting on 7 Serama eggs and they are due to hatch in about 12 more days. Hope everything is well when you get home today.

Marie

 

[kris86AR]

I have my first broody!!!! I was leaving 1 fake egg per nest box and removed fresh eggs daily. My muscovy duck decided she wanted to lay in chicken boxes so i was going to leave her eggs there till she had 12 or so to hatch... Well after 4 eggs my smaller breed chicken is now sitting the nest. 2 days now..... Can i safely remove duck eggs from beneath her this evening and put some fertile chicken eggs in there?? Would leaving 4 or more fake eggs in boxes encourage broodiness?

Any thoughts here?

 

[the poppster]

Cant wait to see them. My hen Taffy is sitting on 7 Serama eggs and they are due to hatch in about 12 more days. Hope everything is well when you get home today.
Marie

Thank you! About an hour from now...I will let ya know! Good luck with your eggs as well!