Broody Hen Thread!

[Puddin Fluff]

Thank you! Other than cleaning out the gooey nest with fresh straw and the quick wipe down I will leave them be. We're on the same page there- whatever happens happens- she's doing pretty well in there with the flock and chose the floor nesting box, so this will be our first adventure in letting the broody do all the work. I will put up a protection cage so if any chick ventures too far while broody's still sitting waiting for others to hatch, it doesn't become a snack or entertainment for the flock. Glad to have started with 12- we'll be happy with whatever we get. =)

Good luck and let us know how they do.

I just set another 9 eggs under a new broody so I hope she is a good mama. She is vicious on the nest. She hasn't drawn blood so far, but she is grumpy and bites.

 

[Shezadandy]

Good luck and let us know how they do.

I just set another 9 eggs under a new broody so I hope she is a good mama. She is vicious on the nest. She hasn't drawn blood so far, but she is grumpy and bites.

Luck shined from above the day I gave her the eggs- happened to come out the very same time she was on a broody break already so the eggs got in there with no hits taken. Our nest box opens from the back so I was able to shoo her off gently with a broom- she can't see it's me doing it so I don't become the principal target after she's been moved. Mostly through this process I checked on the eggs during her daily break, but hadn't caught her on break to see what was left for a couple of days-- after losing 3 of the eggs, wanted to know what to expect. Out came the broom- and she attacked it for the first time, full on 'gonnakillyoubroom' attacked it- so I didn't have to risk the fingers, just left the broom in place and let her hate on that after discovering the gooey mess. Not that it was comfortable sitting there handling eggs and messing with the nest- with a puffed out warpath broody circling, but the broom and flockmates took the actual attacks.

I think the hormones are way up and take that as a really good sign, because she's usually a middle pecking order girl and up to a couple days ago she was still getting pecked by the higher-ups. The longest days are ahead- worse than waiting for Christmas - worse than waiting for a box of cheeping chicks to arrive ... waiting for a 1st time broody to hatch out some eggs!

Good luck with yours as well- I will definitely update when we (hopefully) start hearing chicks!

 

[PD-Riverman]

I was able to shoo her off gently with a broom- she can't see it's me doing it so I don't become the principal target after she's been moved.

but hadn't caught her on break to see what was left for a couple of days-- after losing 3 of the eggs, wanted to know what to expect. Out came the broom- and she attacked it for the first time, full on 'gonnakillyoubroom' attacked it- left the broom in place and let her hate on that after discovering the gooey mess. Not that it was comfortable sitting there handling eggs and messing with the nest- with a puffed out warpath broody circling, but the broom and flockmates took the actual attacks.

The longest days are ahead- worse than waiting for Christmas - worse than waiting for a box of cheeping chicks to arrive ... waiting for a 1st time broody to hatch out some eggs!

Good luck with yours as well- I will definitely update when we (hopefully) start hearing chicks!

Mercy, Mercy, I am sorry but I have never heard of anyone treating their broody this way. If I was her I would bust them all. My Broodies are my babies and hatch me many chicks---I treat them with respect. I know its Not my broody and I probably should bite my tongue But I couldn't. I am Sorry I really Don't Like This Post!!

 

[Shezadandy]

Mercy, Mercy, I am sorry but I have never heard of anyone treating their broody this way. If I was her I would bust them all. My Broodies are my babies and hatch me many chicks---I treat them with respect. I know its Not my broody and I probably should bite my tongue But I couldn't. I am Sorry I really Don't Like This Post!!

Not sure what you're picturing here-- I'm talking about the slow movement of a broom, no jabbing, no swatting, no meanness, just the broom as an extension of my arm. The whole thing started because she had dragged a piece of watermelon rind into the nest with her and was partially sitting on it which I can't imagine is a good thing for the eggs underneath her. With the watermelon rind there (and a concern about vanishing eggs- as we are closer to the hatch date I did want to know how many were still there, but getting the watermelon out was the first priority), I opened the back of the nest box and slowly moved the broom towards her. The only other 2 times I did this- one time after either she moved an egg to a higher nest box or another chicken stole it- and it wound up in the fridge and then unfortunately in the frying pan due to an inexperienced DH- she just stepped off and went to do her drink, poop, eat and broody yoga routine while I counted (and was missing a total of 3, 2 unaccounted for) without any worries.

Her hormones are clearly higher now as instead of a quick peaceful move-off as described above, the broom took some hits, and as she eventually moved off for a drink, a little food, and a stretch.

As it turns out, in addition to the watermelon rind issue, a 4th egg had broken (or was getting eaten) was a gooey mess broken over the remaining viable eggs under her with a wet gooey straw nest. It had been broken for some time- yolk was dried to the remaining eggs, so she didn't break it in the process of getting gently moved off. She doesn't associate the appearance of broom with people, and she doesn't think of my hands as any kind of threat to her nest (or targets to be bitten) because I do not reach in on her.

I'm glad that you are concerned for the welfare and feelings of our feathered friends. I'm sorry if my description leaves or left you feeling like I don't respect my broody, because nothing could be further from the truth.

Once she moved off after telling the broom a thing or two, she did her normal eat drink poop stretch while I removed the gooey nesting material, did my best to clean up the remaining eggs, and replaced them as she had them. It was the first time I'd seen her really assert herself to her flockmates which I take as a good sign with respect to taking care of the chicks that will be raised with the flock after however many hatch and she's ready to be up and around. She peacefully went back to the nest afterwards.

 

[Puddin Fluff]

Not sure what you're picturing here-- I'm talking about the slow movement of a broom, no jabbing, no swatting, no meanness, just the broom as an extension of my arm. The whole thing started because she had dragged a piece of watermelon rind into the nest with her and was partially sitting on it which I can't imagine is a good thing for the eggs underneath her. With the watermelon rind there (and a concern about vanishing eggs- as we are closer to the hatch date I did want to know how many were still there, but getting the watermelon out was the first priority), I opened the back of the nest box and slowly moved the broom towards her. The only other 2 times I did this- one time after either she moved an egg to a higher nest box or another chicken stole it- and it wound up in the fridge and then unfortunately in the frying pan due to an inexperienced DH- she just stepped off and went to do her drink, poop, eat and broody yoga routine while I counted (and was missing a total of 3, 2 unaccounted for) without any worries.

Her hormones are clearly higher now as instead of a quick peaceful move-off as described above, the broom took some hits, and as she eventually moved off for a drink, a little food, and a stretch.

As it turns out, in addition to the watermelon rind issue, a 4th egg had broken (or was getting eaten) was a gooey mess broken over the remaining viable eggs under her with a wet gooey straw nest. It had been broken for some time- yolk was dried to the remaining eggs, so she didn't break it in the process of getting gently moved off. She doesn't associate the appearance of broom with people, and she doesn't think of my hands as any kind of threat to her nest (or targets to be bitten) because I do not reach in on her.

I'm glad that you are concerned for the welfare and feelings of our feathered friends. I'm sorry if my description leaves or left you feeling like I don't respect my broody, because nothing could be further from the truth.

Once she moved off after telling the broom a thing or two, she did her normal eat drink poop stretch while I removed the gooey nesting material, did my best to clean up the remaining eggs, and replaced them as she had them. It was the first time I'd seen her really assert herself to her flockmates which I take as a good sign with respect to taking care of the chicks that will be raised with the flock after however many hatch and she's ready to be up and around. She peacefully went back to the nest afterwards.

Since mine is in the general population, I usually brave her wrath and gently slide my hand under her breast and lift her so that I can see if another hen has made any deposits for the day. I have picked up and moved a hen before when I have found a broken egg under her. I usually just lift her out and sit her close to the water and that usually encourage her to take her daily break for a drink and a snack. But not always. What works for one person, doesn't always work for someone else.

When is hatch day for you? Soon, I think you said.

I am starting all over again. I just set on Sunday so I won't have new babies until the end of the month.

 

[PD-Riverman]

I'm glad that you are concerned for the welfare and feelings of our feathered friends. I'm sorry if my description leaves or left you feeling like I don't respect my broody, because nothing could be further from the truth.

It did---make me feel that way. A thick long glove or a coat sleeve and glove will give you some protection if you need it----The broom---Naw. I gently tilt my hens so I can see under them---I just let them peck---which does not hurt my tough skin much. Busted eggs can come from other hens getting in the nest with her to lay. Life became so much simpler for "ME" and ""my broodies"" by setting them up a decent size private place to brood in----rarely a broke egg, no chicken fights, no pecked on chicks----just peace and harmony!

 

[Shezadandy]

Since mine is in the general population, I usually brave her wrath and gently slide my hand under her breast and lift her so that I can see if another hen has made any deposits for the day. I have picked up and moved a hen before when I have found a broken egg under her. I usually just lift her out and sit her close to the water and that usually encourage her to take her daily break for a drink and a snack. But not always. What works for one person, doesn't always work for someone else.

When is hatch day for you? Soon, I think you said.

I am starting all over again. I just set on Sunday so I won't have new babies until the end of the month.

The hatch date should be Thursday - 6/9. In some ways I can't believe we're just a couple days away, and in others it seems like a couple months have gone by in anticipation.

I did catch her BFF Australorp joining her in there a couple of times and going behind her- never laid an egg in there, just saying hi to her friend, but she's the only one I know of. The front of the nest box is built up to 5", the opening is about 11" wide, and the box is 24" deep. The actual total width inside is 14.5" because there are two 2x4's that create a bit of a shelf against the coop wall which is probably why there weren't more broken eggs- BFF squeezed in the left side with the shelf (covered by straw).

Betty chose the floor level nesting box down in the corner, so I've been concerned about approaching her from the front being an overwhelming experience as I would have to kneel all the way down and then reach in on her, effectively cornering her, which I didn't want to do.

She has been happy in there with the flock, although as the time draws near she's no longer accepting visitors! Tomorrow she'll have her area privatized with her own food and water. Once she's hatched all she's going to and she's ready to be up, we'll do supervised visits with the flock to ensure she's adequately defending and so on. Based on what I saw yesterday, I have high hopes.

 

[BenAnnaMama]

I have two moms and 4 chicks. The first two chicks are about 2 weeks old now. The other two chicks are between 1 and 2 days old. I have one hen that is a good mama so she abandoned her eggs and I have one hen who is a good incubator so she's "kinda" abandoning her chicks. It seems like she won't let them under her and they are sleeping huddled next to her and each other. They are actively pecking around, just saw them drink water. They generally seem happy. I'm not sure if I should intervene yet. It is in the 90's where I live so I don't think the temp is an issue. Maybe at night? I have two options:

1. Let good mama mother them but that means mixing chicks that are 2 weeks apart.

2. Bring the babies into the house under a lamp.

Any advice?

Thanks!

 

[fisherlady]

I have two moms and 4 chicks. The first two chicks are about 2 weeks old now. The other two chicks are between 1 and 2 days old. I have one hen that is a good mama so she abandoned her eggs and I have one hen who is a good incubator so she's "kinda" abandoning her chicks. It seems like she won't let them under her and they are sleeping huddled next to her and each other. They are actively pecking around, just saw them drink water. They generally seem happy. I'm not sure if I should intervene yet. It is in the 90's where I live so I don't think the temp is an issue. Maybe at night? I have two options:

1. Let good mama mother them but that means mixing chicks that are 2 weeks apart.

2. Bring the babies into the house under a lamp.

Any advice?

Thanks!

If they seem happy, and ambient temps don't get much below 70 I would let them go. How long does she need to continue on eggs? How did you end up with the staggered hatch?
Unhappy chicks are generally noisy, so if they aren't fussing they are probably ok with the arrangement. I would remove any unhatched eggs on day 3 though, the chicks need their mama to get up and show them around. Make plans for alternative incubation of remaining eggs.

 

[Puddin Fluff]

The hatch date should be Thursday - 6/9. In some ways I can't believe we're just a couple days away, and in others it seems like a couple months have gone by in anticipation.

I did catch her BFF Australorp joining her in there a couple of times and going behind her- never laid an egg in there, just saying hi to her friend, but she's the only one I know of. The front of the nest box is built up to 5", the opening is about 11" wide, and the box is 24" deep. The actual total width inside is 14.5" because there are two 2x4's that create a bit of a shelf against the coop wall which is probably why there weren't more broken eggs- BFF squeezed in the left side with the shelf (covered by straw).

Betty chose the floor level nesting box down in the corner, so I've been concerned about approaching her from the front being an overwhelming experience as I would have to kneel all the way down and then reach in on her, effectively cornering her, which I didn't want to do.

She has been happy in there with the flock, although as the time draws near she's no longer accepting visitors! Tomorrow she'll have her area privatized with her own food and water. Once she's hatched all she's going to and she's ready to be up, we'll do supervised visits with the flock to ensure she's adequately defending and so on. Based on what I saw yesterday, I have high hopes.

good luck. Can't wait to hear results.