Broody Hen Thread!

[Audio51]

Pginsber,

I would just let her sit it out. If you do not have any other eggs for her to incubate there is nothing to lose. Incubation is about 21 days and if you are not sure what you are looking for it is possible they are just getting started. I would check them again in about a week. It won't hurt to just let her sit until she gets tired of it and abandons on her own. That way she can get the broodiness out of her system. Just make sure she is eating and drinking.

 

[chickydee64]

My first experience with Broodys--it's nerve wracking!
Our pullet was broody for weeks and we couldn't snap her out of it, so we gave her three fertilized eggs about 9 days ago. I candeled the eggs on day 7. To my untrained eye, it looked as though nothing was growing inside.
So, if the eggs really aren't progressing, should I take them away from her or let her keep them until they stink?
We got those 3 eggs from a fellow BYC'r, and don't have any others to give her. Should I give her more to sit on?
Recommendations are appreciated

I would give the eggs more time............I never candle until day 11.
and have had some hatch that I was sure were not developing......................
She will dump them herself if they are bad...Trust your broody..................

 

[RickaRae]

Looking for a little advice...I have shipped eggs coming in & a broody dAnver sitting in some infertile eggs. What is the best way to switch the eggs when they get here?

 

[foreverlearning]

Looking for a little advice...I have shipped eggs coming in & a broody dAnver sitting in some infertile eggs. What is the best way to switch the eggs when they get here?

At night just pull out and replace. Make sure they are at least room temp and you let them rest pointy side down from receiving them until you place them under your girl.

 

[RickaRae]

At night just pull out and replace. Make sure they are at least room temp and you let them rest pointy side down from receiving them until you place them under your girl.

Thank you! Should I let them rest for a certain amount of time or just from when I pick them up to that night? I really appreciate the help!

 

[foreverlearning]

Thank you! Should I let them rest for a certain amount of time or just from when I pick them up to that night? I really appreciate the help!

For a 'bator people differ between 4-12 hours. For a broody, because she knows what needs to be done, receiving to nightfall should be enough. Good luck!

 

[Lady of McCamley]

Thank you! Should I let them rest for a certain amount of time or just from when I pick them up to that night? I really appreciate the help!

Just from the time you get them until that night. The sooner and fresher the better.
Lady of McCamley

 

[RickaRae]

For a 'bator people differ between 4-12 hours. For a broody, because she knows what needs to be done, receiving to nightfall should be enough. Good luck!

Thank you! Hopefully they arrive tomorrow or Saturday! I'll keep you updated on the progress!

 

[chicken farmer]

My white silkie hen has had one clutch she hatched before and then after she was done with them this past summer she went broody again toward the end of August but instead of letting her be broody again i gave her a ameracauna mix chick i incubator hatched then i went and got 3 bantam mix chicks from a lady so the chick wasnt alone,so then I gave the broody silkie hen the chicks and she tolerated them for about 4 weeks or so but then now she pecked them and doesnt want them anymore but there still little chicks and her first clutch she was a REALLY great mother but I gave her those chicks when she was only broody for about 2 days so i think she kinda knew something but anyway now she doesnt want them for some reason and started laying 5 days ago and Ive been getting her egg ever day but today i went to get it and she was sitting on it and was growling and pecking my finger so i think she was getting mad about me taking it so she just sat on it today and shes broody AGAIN and its the end of September and she wants to go broody again but I hate how its already getting cold and it will snow in about 2 months or so and getting a lot colder but I wouldn't mind if she goes broody again if she wants but I hate how its gonna get colder and way colder by the 21 days it takes....what my question is,is is it ok if I let her I heard some people say there silkie had chicks in December in the snow and they survived but I wanna hear your guys input and what you think...thanks in advance everyone!

 

[Lady of McCamley]

My white silkie hen has had one clutch she hatched before and then after she was done with them this past summer she went broody again toward the end of August but instead of letting her be broody again i gave her a ameracauna mix chick i incubator hatched then i went and got 3 bantam mix chicks from a lady so the chick wasnt alone,so then I gave the broody silkie hen the chicks and she tolerated them for about 4 weeks or so but then now she pecked them and doesnt want them anymore but there still little chicks and her first clutch she was a REALLY great mother but I gave her those chicks when she was only broody for about 2 days so i think she kinda knew something but anyway now she doesnt want them for some reason and started laying 5 days ago and Ive been getting her egg ever day but today i went to get it and she was sitting on it and was growling and pecking my finger so i think she was getting mad about me taking it so she just sat on it today and shes broody AGAIN and its the end of September and she wants to go broody again but I hate how its already getting cold and it will snow in about 2 months or so and getting a lot colder but I wouldn't mind if she goes broody again if she wants but I hate how its gonna get colder and way colder by the 21 days it takes....what my question is,is is it ok if I let her I heard some people say there silkie had chicks in December in the snow and they survived but I wanna hear your guys input and what you think...thanks in advance everyone!

My Silkie hatched and brooded a clutch in cold February...but I live in rainy Oregon and we don't get deep snow or sub-zero temps. It was about 40 to 45 in the day and freezing at night though, so definitely much colder than the typical brooding hutch with lamps....and the chicks did fine. I was amazed at how well they thrived. They all feathered in quickly, grew fast, matured faster, and laid eggs by May/June.

I did however have an enclosed hutch for them to run in for the first month or so, and did not let them out until they were well feathered in...but I probably could have let them out sooner. It's just hard to imagine them doing that in the cold and wet, but mom seems okay with it. And like I said...it is amazing how quickly they adjust to the temps with mom. I have a batch with my Silkie now that is running in the rain at 55 degrees during the day, 45 at night....and they are doing just fine. These weren't hatched with her, just day old chicks that I am fostering with her. They amazingly adapted within a couple of days when it was warmer, and now they are running around with mom at 3 weeks in the rain like its nothing.
Lady of McCamley