Broody Hen Thread!

[PD-Riverman]

I'm trying to resist the urge to candle eggs tonight (day 5). I want to soooo bad, but I'm not sure if I should even bother yet

I usually candle on day 12 and day 18----if I do not have a lot of time---I just wait till 18---first and last. BUT, I am not a Newbie-----LOL.

 

[16 paws]

JayJo and 16 paws, looks like we have a hatch-along going full speed. YIPPEEEE!

Aggie hasn't changed positions all day. Definitely in lock down. PD-Riverman, I moved the water and food to the center of the coop and switched the water container over to a chick water. Tomorrow I mix finch food and game bird food and my husband and I are going to the creek with the bucket tractor and bring up a scoop of sand.

I think we have a final count on the last hatching of 8. Looks like 5 cockerels and 3 pullets. When I locked up her coop tonight I told Aggie good night, she was close to the end now and please, please, please! Do better on the pullet numbers this time.

Good luck hatching everyone.

haha

Wishing you luck on all pullets.

You are an awesome chicken mama

Go Aggie!!!!!
I will be checking my computer for news

 

[JayJo]

haha

Wishing you luck on all pullets.
You are an awesome chicken mama
Go Aggie!!!!!
I will be checking my computer for news

I wish happy hatching and many pullets to you both!

 

[goldie1234]

Advise needed!
I have three coops. One layer coop with a run attached to the run of coop 2 (grow out). I also have a separate grow out coop.
I let my broodies hatch in the attached coop (attached to layer coop). One broody didn't hatch any eggs. She is back with the layers. The run is attached to the run where the hen is with 2 chicks. My plan was to introduce the broodies with babies back to the layers and have the 9 week olds split between the grow outs.

The other grow out has 9 week olds.

Problem: the other broody paces the chicks at times. Now I'm afraid to let the hen with chicks near her. I need to move some of the 9 week olds out of the grow out. It's getting tight in there.
The hen with 2 chicks is taking up a whole coop. Again, the plan was to keep her and the chicks with the layers, but I'm afraid of the broody who didn't hatch.
Could I put a couple 9 week pullets with her and the chicks?

 

[thebulg]

question: i think i am mis-remembering but i thought i had read at some point that broody hens hatching chicks on day 19 is a pretty common thing, particularly in warmer months.

can anyone weigh in on this? we are on day 18 with our first hen who has made it to hatch day, and i read to keep an eye on the mama once hatch begins to make sure she isn't homicidal. but i don't want to spend 3 days in my garage haha!!!

 

[mossyroo]

Hi Jay Jo,

Thats three of us hatching this weekend! Bring on the chicks!!!!
Trying not to get too excited but its not working

Tomorrow is day 21 for mine.

 

[bahamabanty]

Would it be safe to have a little broody-chick pen on the ground, instead of raised like I have now?
I have them in a little rabbit hutch type set up but would like to put them in a chicken tractor type cage, but am afraid of rats etc. Does a broody protect chicks against small nightly predators like rats, or should I run chickenwire on the bottom of the tractor just in case.

 

[microchick]

I just walked by the nesting box and without even having to open the lid I heard the unmistakenable peep peep peep of a new chick.

I chanced a peek under the lid and Aggie was fluffed up and singing. She gave me the stink eye like "Close the freaking lid I'm busy here!" So I did and did a happy dance up to the house.

Aggie's hatching has begun!

First chick is a day early but with the hot weather I was kinda expecting it to happen this way.

 

[16 paws]

Tomorrow is day 21 for mine.

Good luck!!!

 

[16 paws]

I just walked by the nesting box and without even having to open the lid I heard the unmistakenable peep peep peep of a new chick.

I chanced a peek under the lid and Aggie was fluffed up and singing. She gave me the stink eye like "Close the freaking lid I'm busy here!" So I did and did a happy dance up to the house.

Aggie's hatching has begun!

First chick is a day early but with the hot weather I was kinda expecting it to happen this way.

Thats fantastic!!!!!!!!!!!

Could you tell if its a girl???Just kidding.

Now how many times do you estimate you will be chancing a peek today????