Broody Hen Thread!

[elaineinspain]

So once again I'm asking for advise and leaning on my fellow chicken lovers. I don't know what I would do without you guys n gals.

My hen who spent a day off her nest has all dud eggs. I moved her last night to my spare little coop and gave her 4 new eggs freshly laid yesterday. She's been setting for 14 days. Will she continue to set until these ones hatch or should I try to break her? I suppose I could buy a couple chicks this weekend and transplant them if my other hen doesn't hatch hers by then (She's due to hatch her clutch in 2-3 days if all goes well). I don't really need more chickens I just want to see her become a happy mom since she really wants to set.

if she's determined she will set until chicks appear!

 

[hennajen]

Day 23. Started with 10 eggs. One egg obviously died mid-hatch. 2 eggs left, no pips. The rest of the chicks, I assume, are tucked into the feather jungle under Broody's wings. Any hope for those last 2? I don't know about movement, as I'm trying to stay out of the way. But, I also want to move this little family into its own living space within the coop so the hatchlings can get to food and water. When do I do that?

 

[hennajen]

Can I get a couple same-age hatchling from the store and stick them in with broody and her fresh hatchlings?

 

[yochickiemomma]

if she's determined she will set until chicks appear!

Thank you I will let her go for now and hopefully so.ething happens in 21 days. I'm an excited nervous reck right now over my other broody. She could start hatching any day now. She's brooding in the run. I tried to move her when she first started setting and that didn't go so well. I have a wire dog cage set up in the coop to move her to once she's done hatching. I have to work all day every day until the weekend and with my luck I'll miss the hatching.

 

[elisbrown]

I have a broody hen and got some fertile eggs to put under her. Today is day 13. I candled the eggs on day 10 and they all looked fertile, though I only saw one embryo moving. I'm pretty excited. I haven't hatched eggs before!

Question: My broody hen is the lowest in the pecking order. She is in the nesting box in the general coop with everyone else, and I'm concerned about what will happen when the eggs hatch. I'd like to move her and the eggs to another location, but I am not sure how wise that is at this stage. Does anyone have experience with this situation? Everything I read suggests moving the hen BEFORE giving her fertile eggs. Clearly it's too late for that.

 

[BullChick]

Everyone has their own opinions and experiences. They are wrong. I am right.
Kidding.
Don't worry about your hen being at the bottom of the pecking order. A mama hen will take care of her young.
If you really want to move her, I suggest you wait until she is done hatching. However, I've moved broodies mid-brood. If you have the spot ready, and feel better getting it done, at least do it at night.
There is no one answer. It's what works best for you.

 

[BullChick]

Now that I've responded...
My first broody is due tomorrow! I can have chicks today!! I'm finally excited about it!

 

[BullChick]

BTW, the underdog "shy" hen turns psycho when she is broody. I don't mess with her!!

 

[Lady of McCamley]

Bookmarking thread in new system (so I can find it!)

 

[PD-Riverman]

Don't worry about your hen being at the bottom of the pecking order. A mama hen will take care of her young.

Not always true----I had several broody hens that almost died trying to protect their chicks, head skin picked clean to the skull, combs torn off, dead chicks with crushed skulls from being pecked. Not always Peaches and creams I promise. I feel the breed of chickens the broody is with effects what will happen. I personally never have that happen to my broody hens or chicks killed anymore because I do not let her and the chicks be with the flock for a long time---if ever.