Broody Hen Thread!

[gimmie birdies]

If you are going to let a momma care for babies in a big open yard fence area, just prepare for losses. When starting to brood babies with mom, I keep them in the coop for a bit, away from other birds just so the they get a good bond first.

 

[trudyg]

Well, I think I'd watch them to see how interested the others were in the babies and see how protective the mama is before pitching them all out into the yard. Probably even block the pop door and let them have the run of the coop after the first week. There's a big wire door, so they'd see each other regardless. I could even move them over into an old chicken tractor if needed. It's where I raised the last 25 chicks I had last year. The only issue is that I'm going out of town for a wedding (4 days away) during this time and DD and the grands will have to watch them. That's always iffy, having someone else do my chores. But I can have everything clean before I leave and they'd only have to change food and water, so I just have to make the setup easy for them to handle and then cross my fingers. Expected hatch date is May 2 and I leave May 17, back May 20, so I'll make a decision sometime closer to then. I am not inclined to have chicks out, even with mom, when I'm away unless I can be reasonably sure they'd be okay.

 

[aart]

The only issue is that I'm going out of town for a wedding (4 days away) during this time and DD and the grands will have to watch them.

I'd leave them separated until you get back.
I usually let broody and chicks in with flock about a week after hatch,
chicks are strong and mama's still got her 'broody fierce' going on.

 

[trudyg]

That's kinda what I thought. If I'm not here, keep them as safe as I can. I do that for all my animals.

 

[trudyg]

She just got off for a dust bath--10 eggs under her, not 6. Crossing my fingers!

 

[aart]

She just got off for a dust bath--10 eggs under her, not 6. Crossing my fingers!

I thought they had already hatched?
What day is she on?

 

[trudyg]

Not yet, I'm thinking Thursday. Not sure when she started sitting, either the Wed or Thurs 2 weeks ago. Fermented All Flock that everyone gets is good for chicks?

 

[aart]

Not yet, I'm thinking Thursday. Not sure when she started sitting, either the Wed or Thurs 2 weeks ago. Fermented All Flock that everyone gets is good for chicks?

Oh, so they will hatch just before you leave?
Even better for leaving them separated with mama, let them build their strength before integration.
I don't do fermented feed, dry all flock would be fine and easier for your chicken sitter.

 

[trudyg]

This was a bit of a surprise (kinda like my kids!). I'm just hoping some actually hatch and she's a good mom. Yep, I set up the area today and enclosed the nest box and a nice big area with baby gate panels, cardboard along the bottom so babies can't get out thru the openings. She's got a dust bath for herself with sand and soil. Spoiled. I tend to wet the feed so they don't bill it all out, but I'll have them put out dry, too. I'd rather have too much and waste some than not enough.

 

[PouleChick]

Chicks?... If they can get thru the fence, they will!

So true!!!! I found out that when I had my first set of chicks last year - poor mummy hen was so cross with them and kept yelling them to come back but they were having none of it!!!! I just put up some cardboard (white covered quite thick) and even outdoors it was fine the couple of weeks I needed it then just pulled it off and chucked it away!
So little update I now have a broody hatch about to start! I managed to pop 5 of my murdered Araucana eggs (not sure what the dad will be though so hopefully some easter eggers although 25% chance it is the Araucana roo) and a few of the dead silkies into my neighbours incubator and now my other silkie has cleverly gone broody. I've just moved her into the broody coop and she has settled back onto some eggs in there. All being well I'll pop the eggs that are in the 'bator under her tomorrow evening. I actually can't remember when it all happened - gosh just looked and that was 10 days ago so we are half way though already, or less as they seem to only go about 19 days I find for those breeds! Poor Doris may get a shock that they arrive so early bless her!