Broody Hen Thread!

[bobbieschicks]

the weather is very hot for ireland its in the 30s thats unuasually hot for ireland she cover 6 last time easilly 

The I'd go ahead with your plan and see how they're developing in a week.

 

[jammyjammy2112]

i put nine eggs under her and she has covered them nicely one egg was sticking out but she covered it now and three weeks from now hopefully ill have some chicks maybe

 

[chicken farmer]

i put nine eggs under her and she has covered them nicely one egg was sticking out but she covered it now and three weeks from now hopefully ill have some chicks maybe

You will for sure have to post some pictures

 

[MarinR]

Brand new to this and would love your advice. My leghorn went broody very unexpectedly a few days ago. I've tried removing her from the nest and distracting her with treats, but she just goes right back. She is in the zone... So, today I got my hands on about 8 fertile eggs and I'm going to let her give this a try. I'm nervous about removing her completely from her box to a brand new place and I've read that some people let their hens remain with the flock to hatch and raise chicks. For the moment, I have put a dog crate in front her her box just to see how she responds. She has happily accepted the new eggs and continues to look as broody as ever. My question is does she have enough space in there? Should I drop the side once in a while to allow her the opportunity to forage if she wants to? She has shown NO interest in doing any of that for that last few days, but who knows? I was thinking about removing the divider in her nest box closer to hatch (or maybe after hatch?) so that the chicks can move around in there. There are still two more boxes inside and one outside for the remaining 8 hens to use. I think that should suffice.
Any thoughts on the current setup? Advice?
Thanks!!

 

[chicken farmer]

Brand new to this and would love your advice. My leghorn went broody very unexpectedly a few days ago. I've tried removing her from the nest and distracting her with treats, but she just goes right back. She is in the zone... So, today I got my hands on about 8 fertile eggs and I'm going to let her give this a try. I'm nervous about removing her completely from her box to a brand new place and I've read that some people let their hens remain with the flock to hatch and raise chicks. For the moment, I have put a dog crate in front her her box just to see how she responds. She has happily accepted the new eggs and continues to look as broody as ever. My question is does she have enough space in there? Should I drop the side once in a while to allow her the opportunity to forage if she wants to? She has shown NO interest in doing any of that for that last few days, but who knows? I was thinking about removing the divider in her nest box closer to hatch (or maybe after hatch?) so that the chicks can move around in there. There are still two more boxes inside and one outside for the remaining 8 hens to use. I think that should suffice.
Any thoughts on the current setup? Advice?
Thanks!!

That is really cool that a white leghorn went broody because it's bben bred out of almost all egg layers but ti can happen thats awesome,anyway that looks like good room for the chicks and her for the first day or so but even when shes broody till the chicks hatch she needs room to get out and eat,drink,poop,stretch her legs and flap around for a couple minutes that crate there the whole time is not a good idea I would move it and let her move about freely but leave the feeder and waterer there so she doesnt have to go real far and let her and her chicks roam free around the pen and I'm sure the other hens won't mind because I'm sure there smarter than to mess with a mamas chicks...if you have anymore questions were all here to help and I love your broody leghorn

 

[MarinR]

Thank you, that's exactly what I was worried about space-wise. I had read that other people would section off part of the coop for their broody so that was my thought with this.... I was attempting to keep the other hens from getting in her way. But if that's not a big worry, then I'll just move the crate over so she can get out if/when she wants to. I like that idea much better that the cage like setup she's in now. And the chicks really will be okay with the other hens once they are here?? Amazing!
I love my broody leghorn too. I hope she makes it for the entire 21 days.... I would be so proud of her!

 

[chickydee64]

Thank you, that's exactly what I was worried about space-wise. I had read that other people would section off part of the coop for their broody so that was my thought with this.... I was attempting to keep the other hens from getting in her way. But if that's not a big worry, then I'll just move the crate over so she can get out if/when she wants to. I like that idea much better that the cage like setup she's in now. And the chicks really will be okay with the other hens once they are here?? Amazing!
I love my broody leghorn too. I hope she makes it for the entire 21 days.... I would be so proud of her!

Hi, I have a kennel like that for my broodys...............It is great because they do not have to be reintroduced to the flock.
When mine hatch, I allow Mom and chicks to stay in the cage for a couple of days before letting them out with the flock.
I have lost a couple of chicks when they got confused about who Mom was and went to the wrong hens.............This was over a period of years.
Also gives Mom a chance to teach them to eat and drink uninterrupted. And.she may not hatch all the eggs the same day........

Once I let them out with the flock, mama hen runs anyone off that comes near them..........and they do not come near the babies a second time.

Good Luck......Everyone does it different......I let her raise the chicks in the cage . She takes them in at night on her own. I close he gate till the next morning.
I am sure then they are getting some chick starter. Have fun

 

[chicken farmer]

Thank you, that's exactly what I was worried about space-wise. I had read that other people would section off part of the coop for their broody so that was my thought with this.... I was attempting to keep the other hens from getting in her way. But if that's not a big worry, then I'll just move the crate over so she can get out if/when she wants to. I like that idea much better that the cage like setup she's in now. And the chicks really will be okay with the other hens once they are here?? Amazing!
I love my broody leghorn too. I hope she makes it for the entire 21 days.... I would be so proud of her!

Yes they should be fine and it's good to let them have room to roam around together

 

[MarinR]

[COLOR=008080]Hi, I have a kennel like that for my broodys...............It is great because they do not have to be reintroduced to the flock.[/COLOR] [COLOR=008080]When mine hatch, I allow Mom and chicks to stay in the cage for a couple of days before letting them out with the flock.[/COLOR] [COLOR=008080]I have lost a couple of chicks when they got confused about who Mom was and went to the wrong hens.............This was over a period of years.[/COLOR] [COLOR=008080]Also gives Mom a chance to teach them to eat and drink uninterrupted. And.she may not hatch all the eggs the same day........

[/COLOR] Once I let them out with the flock, mama hen runs anyone off that comes near them..........and they do not come near the babies a second time.

Good Luck......Everyone does it different......I let her raise the chicks in the cage . She takes them in at night on her own. I close he gate till the next morning. I am sure then they are getting some chick starter. Have fun

So do you keep her in the kennel for the entire 21 days, then? That's the part I'm going back and forth on.... I definitely want them to have their own space at least for the first few days after hatch. I was also thinking of keeping her separated (in the cage) for a few days just to be sure she's comfortable and situated on her new eggs, but I don't want her to be too confined either... I just want her to have a good shot as success as this is brand new for her, and for me. I am just so excited for her (us)!

 

[wildrooster1]

i love it when my hens go broody i have 3 this is their second time this summer,i have about 50 fertile eggs under 5 hens!

WildRooster1