Broody Hen Thread!

[kamuelamom]

Hi,

I don't have time to look through all 145 pages of this thread at the moment so I am hoping someone has a quick answer: Can my broody foster hen eat the same food as the store bought chicks she adopted? It's medicated chick crumble and I've been feeding it to her for about 4 weeks now. I guess i should have asked this question earlier but didn't think of it. Separating her food would be difficult since they are all in one pen.

Your responses would be greatly appreciated.

Thnks!

 

[Cynthia12]

Hi,

I don't have time to look through all 145 pages of this thread at the moment so I am hoping someone has a quick answer: Can my broody foster hen eat the same food as the store bought chicks she adopted? It's medicated chick crumble and I've been feeding it to her for about 4 weeks now. I guess i should have asked this question earlier but didn't think of it. Separating her food would be difficult since they are all in one pen.

Your responses would be greatly appreciated.

Thnks!

Well, if she's been eating it, and is ok, she should be fine. But, I don't personally keep my chicks on the medicated food for longer than a week. Causes runny poo. I think that one week does the trick any way.

 

[Audio51]

She will be fne on the chick starter. You could also switch them over to a grower formula at this age. You just don't want to have the chicks on layer crumbles until about 16 weeks.. The high calcium content is too hard on their systems...

 

[3 Chicks]

I have a broody hen for the first time. I put eggs under her 18 days ago. I went to pull her off the nest for some exercise this evening and to my shock, a broken shell was in the nest. Then, a baby chick popped its head out! I haven't been able to examine it but it seems active and well. My question is, if the other eggs take 3 more days to hatch, will she stay on them with one chick out?

I just looked at the other eggs and see no sign of piping or movement.

So exciting!!

 

[fisherlady]

I have a broody hen for the first time. I put eggs under her 18 days ago. I went to pull her off the nest for some exercise this evening and to my shock, a broken shell was in the nest. Then, a baby chick popped its head out! I haven't been able to examine it but it seems active and well. My question is, if the other eggs take 3 more days to hatch, will she stay on them with one chick out?

I just looked at the other eggs and see no sign of piping or movement.

So exciting!!

She most likely will stay on them... what you may need to do is make food and water available within easy reach of the nest. The little one will start roaming in another day and will be able to get it's food and water without mama freaking out because it goes out of her reach.
Maybe you'll be lucky and your hen is an early hatcher and the other chicks will be here shortly.

 

[Keggen]

How's does everyone socialize their chicks that are with a broody? I have 25 in the brooder I've been handling daily and they are beginning to be pretty gentle. The five with my broody are crazy! The only way I can get my hands on them is to corral them in the coop and tackle one or two while mom and the other babies fly at my head. I've only had my hands on them a few times and its practically been a fight to the death!

I'm sorry all I can do is laugh at your description! I have the same problem, can't get near the babies so I gave up for the time being. I figure around the time the mama stops being motherly is when I can start trying to tame them.

 

[AussieHens96]

Definately going to follow this - waiting for spring and then for our silkie to go broody! Winter is almost here - then spring! Super excited!

 

[LindaLoo2]

I had her is a wire cage for over two weeks and gave up. I felt bad because when I'd let her out I could tell her feet hurt.
I really need the eggs to fulfill a barter agreement.
What if I gave her some chicks from the feed store?
Would she start laying again?
When would it be okay to take the chicks away from her?
I'm guessing there's no way of knowing if she will go broody again (?)

 

[Toxic Chicken]

My 2 broody hens. One has been broody for a week. The Cochin just started yesterday. I have ordered fertile eggs and expect them in 4 or 5 days.
Do I need to separate the hens, or will they share?

 

[3 Chicks]

So far, one chick has hatched (day 18). Another egg has a crack in it but there's a little blood. I'm wondering if the hens nail punctured it? Does anyone think there's hope? Is there any way I can help it?