Broody Hen Thread!

[BullChick]

Thx. I need to section off this portion of the coop for them, get chick feed and water setup.

I hope the rest hatch out soon. I THOUGHT this was day 17. So far 4 hatched, another pipping, a total of 10 eggs.

We all have our own preferences. My broodies don't get separated.

 

[sharol]

Quote:
I had that happen last summer. I moved the broody out of the nest box to clean up some poo at the back and a baby dropped out from under her wing. I grabbed the poo and put her and the baby back. The rest of the eggs hatched overnight. They were 4 days early by my count. The weather was very hot, maybe that has something to do with it.

 

[BullChick]

I really don't know when the babies are due. I am thinking July 10th.

 

[wannahomestead]

Pics here

https://www.backyardchickens.com/t/697050/michigan-thread-all-are-welcome/36710#post_17197726

 

[BullChick]

Pics here

https://www.backyardchickens.com/t/697050/michigan-thread-all-are-welcome/36710#post_17197726

They are very cute!

 

[carriestewart]

Thanks for the ideas. I am so hoping for homebred chicks.

 

[urbannarnia27]

I have my first broody hen on day 20 of her egg sitting.  She has 5 eggs under her.  She has been a good sitter.  Funny how that works... production red who isn't supposed to sit.    My question is, since my broodie is sitting in a laying box and it is up about 3.5 feet, should I move it to the ground when and if the chicks hatch???  Should I segregate mom and chicks??  Any advice, LOL???

Oh, and the cross is Barred Rock/Red Production.

Hey! My momma and eggs were up higher too (of course she had to pick that nest...) so when they were born and dry (a full day later) I moved them into a big dog crate. I'm going to let them hang out in there for a few days while it pours rain here and then momma can introduce them to the chicken yard. I've had lots of experienced chick folks tell me to do it this way

 

[carriestewart]

Hey! My momma and eggs were up higher too (of course she had to pick that nest...) so when they were born and dry (a full day later) I moved them into a big dog crate. I'm going to let them hang out in there for a few days while it pours rain here and then momma can introduce them to the chicken yard. I've had lots of experienced chick folks tell me to do it this way

Thank you. I was actually thinking of doing something like that. I have cat litter containers for boxes so I can move them easily. I think I will move the box once the chicks are born and put everyone into a small fenced area for a few days.

 

[Mommy 2 Wee Ones]

Back in April, I posted about our Banty hen sitting on a clutch of eggs in a container in the house.


We lost the youngest chick 4 days later, but still have: Chubby, Debi and Nicole.




This is them now! They play with Mom in their own enclosure during the day, and are back in the large black water trough at night. Still too afraid of snakes to let them sleep overnight in the enclosure coop. Daddy Hank will not go to bed till he sees that we have gathered up his family, and put them away safe.

Fast forward to June 4th, Lolliepop our half silkie, half (poss New Hampshire Red or Buckeye) went broody. Brought her into the house on June 6th with a clutch of 7 eggs. Was not expecting cheeps till Saturday morning. Hubby woke me up this morning, showing me an egg shell (empty) I was too sleepy to comprehend what he was telling me. This afternoon, my oldest daughter calls me, "Mom I hear cheeping".
Hubby came home, and this is what we saw. 2 down 5 to go. Going to get a couple of paper towel boxes and transfer them to that, after everyone has hatched.
Lollie tried setting on eggs last year, but snakes got them, the year before that, we thought she went broody, gave her eggs, and two weeks later she had eaten them (she was only a year old at the time.)

 

[Mommy 2 Wee Ones]

omg I must have counted wrong! My hatch day wasn't suppose to be until Sunday/monday, but I came home to 4 chicks and at least another pipping! I'm completely unprepared!

I went to go pick up momma because I only got 1 egg today, and I figured maybe the other laid in that nest box, and when I picked her up I heard an angry peep, and was totally confused for a moment

I have stuff to do now, and I don't know where to start!

I understand, looks like we had one hatch last night (day 18), could have been two last night. I was expecting chicks till Saturday morning. We are waiting on 5 more eggs.
Good Luck!