Broody Hen Thread!

[Lady of McCamley]

We have chicks!! But she's being really pecked at by broody! I'm worried that she seems really confused and upset, what should I do??

Several thoughts here....

Yes, keep a backup plan handy...look up the heating pad method on BYC.

Has she been upset all along? Or is she upset because you are checking. I'm seeing photos during hatch time, and often that is not a good thing to do as it indicates you are hovering and handling. That can really unsettle a hen, especially a first time broody, during the process. It may be better to back off and let her handle things.

I've had hens peck at chicks to get them back under, and I've had hens peck at chicks because they knew something was wrong with the chick (unthrifty). Sometimes they will reject one color of chick vs. another (if the hatch is all black and there is one with yellow down, for example)

I'd back off and see if she settles down. If it is really hot, add some cooling air by fan or some method. If she remains agitated by the hatching process itself, then you may need to take the babes.

My thoughts
LofMc

 

[Mezzer]

I'm so sorry. Yes you can use a heating pad. There is a whole thread here on BYC. Search 'Momma Heating Pad'.  It really does work.

Try not to hold it against your hen. Some just aren't 'mommy' material.

Thanks. I have the two she's hatched out on a heating pad in the house, they are ok, nice and healthy. She's pecking at the heads HARD the moment they hatch. :/ I did NOT expect to need to do this...

 

[microchick]

It's not all that unusual, Mezzer. Many advise not allowing a hen to brood again if she is aggressive to the chicks she hatches. Some just do not understand that those little, noisy, fuzzy things are. Their maternal instincts end with hatching.

You are to be commended for being alert and recognizing what happened. The Momma Heating Pad is basically a heating pad cave that the chicks can go under as if it was their momma. The thread is very informative and will tell you exactly how to set up.

Hope you are able to rescue all her chicks.

 

[Mezzer]

Several thoughts here....

Yes, keep a backup plan handy...look up the heating pad method on BYC.

Has she been upset all along? Or is she upset because you are checking. I'm seeing photos during hatch time, and often that is not a good thing to do as it indicates you are hovering and handling. That can really unsettle a hen, especially a first time broody, during the process. It may be better to back off and let her handle things.

I've had hens peck at chicks to get them back under, and I've had hens peck at chicks because they knew something was wrong with the chick (unthrifty). Sometimes they will reject one color of chick vs. another (if the hatch is all black and there is one with yellow down, for example)

I'd back off and see if she settles down. If it is really hot, add some cooling air by fan or some method. If she remains agitated by the hatching process itself, then you may need to take the babes.

My thoughts
LofMc

No, I've been staying away today (trying) but I noticed she was upset yesterday whenever the eggs would peep. She seemed to be growling all day today whenever they would move. She pecking at the chicks eyes and heads. :/

 

[Mezzer]

She almost seemed happy when I took the first and second chicks, she settled right down and tucked her remaining eggs under her.

 

[fisherlady]

No, I've been staying away today (trying) but I noticed she was upset yesterday whenever the eggs would peep. She seemed to be growling all day today whenever they would move. She pecking at the chicks eyes and heads. :/

How long has she been broody? Were all her eggs set at the same time?
Some hens have trouble transitioning from setting mode to hatching and mama mode. If you can monitor her behavior and intervene as needed she may adjust to mama mode as the other eggs hatch...if she does then you may be able to graft her earlier hatchers back to her.

 

[Mezzer]

How long has she been broody? Were all her eggs set at the same time?
Some hens have trouble transitioning from setting mode to hatching and mama mode. If you can monitor her behavior and intervene as needed she may adjust to mama mode as the other eggs hatch...if she does then you may be able to graft her earlier hatchers back to her.

Yes, I'm hoping she might not reject to last 4, we will see. All the eggs were set at the same time and today was 21 days. Her 2 chicks in the house are dried and they are on a heating pad on the lowest setting curled up in my sweater I put in for them.

 

[Mezzer]

I'm just worried that if the others hatch tonight she might harm them. Or it might make it Easier to transition?

 

[fisherlady]

I'm just worried that if the others hatch tonight she might harm them. Or it might make it Easier to transition?

There is no way to know for sure, every hen is different. Hens can get very agitated when stressed and behave in abnormal ways.... but they may be fine when left alone. There is no way to know.

 

[PD-Riverman]

No, I've been staying away today (trying) but I noticed she was upset yesterday whenever the eggs would peep. She seemed to be growling all day today whenever they would move. She pecking at the chicks eyes and heads.

How are you staying away with both pics you posted appears to be taken where you are tilting her for the camera shot. I am just a Lucky Person I guess----where 150 times in the last 3 years, 72 in the last year I have set broody hens and I have Never had to take the chicks. Should I feel deprived because of ALL those sets I have Never seen the eggs pipping, or the chicks breaking out the shell Under the Broody----cause I do not have X-ray Vision. """"I"""" Would NEVER tilt one of my hen while she is hatching to see whats happening under her---matter of Fact ""I"" might peek from a distance of several feet to see if I see or hear a chick but I do not even get close to her nest during her last 3 days until she comes off the nest with the babies. Broodies usually get upset if you get close, puff up, even move at times---which could cause her to stomp some chicks and make crazy noises and even Peck. I am just Totally hands Off and so far I have Great hatches and NO problems with EVERY broody I have set. Good Luck