Broody Hen Thread!

[fisherlady]

Hey TiaRC, thanks for the quick response. I will leave the "family" intact and watch for trouble. Now how long after hatching does the hen leave the nest? There are eggs of progressive ages in all three nest boxes so potentially there could be hatches every day for the next 20 days.

My hens most often leave the nest starting the second day, though they may stay longer if they have food and water within reach for the little ones. Staggered hatching often results in the loss of either the late eggs or the early chicks, so your plan to remove unhatched eggs to an incubator is a sound one. To increase space under the broodies you could also candle the eggs on about day 10 to 12 or so of when you think they began setting and remove the ones which are obviously far behind in development at that time to the incubator. That isn't a big deal unless the nests are very crowded with eggs, because overcrowded nests can also cause problems (hen can have difficulty shuffling them to maintain temps over all of the eggs.

If any hatch in the incubator within a few days of when the hens hatch out in their nest you may be able to graft them back to the hens... some hens will take them only if a few days different and some will take chicks almost any time, but those are the exception. If there is more than a day or two difference though you need to supervise more closely to make sure the little ones are able to 'keep up' to the older hatchlings and that the broody is taking good care of them.

 

[fisherlady]

So, my other hens have been doing a good job of not laying in the broody's nest. However, today, after eating, the broody got in the wrong nest. She was probably in the wrong one for 5 hours (on day 5). I moved her back, covered the rest of the nests with cardboard and moved the other chickens to another pen. I am leaving town in a few days for 10 days, so this is probably best since there won't be an attentive watcher for that period.

Sounds like the best idea considering the circumstances... hopefully all will turn out well and you will have a good hatch shortly after your return!

 

[sonderah]

So, my other hens have been doing a good job of not laying in the broody's nest. However, today, after eating, the broody got in the wrong nest. She was probably in the wrong one for 5 hours (on day 5). I moved her back, covered the rest of the nests with cardboard and moved the other chickens to another pen. I am leaving town in a few days for 10 days, so this is probably best since there won't be an attentive watcher for that period.

I have to know what do you use for food and water that would last that long??? I feed daily, & have to add water 2-3 times a day when its hot.

 

[frg34]

I have to know what do you use for food and water that would last that long??? I feed daily, & have to add water 2-3 times a day when its hot.

I have someone who will feed and check water everyday. My watcher/egg collector just won't be around all that much is all I was saying in case she makes a mistake again.

 

[sonderah]

I have someone who will feed and check water everyday. My watcher/egg collector just won't be around all that much is all I was saying in case she makes a mistake again.

Oh ok. Lol

 

[PBGGG]

Today is day 10 of Tink sitting on 8 eggs. I tried candling them today but I couldn't see anything because we have a crappy flashlight. I did see a big blob in two of the eggs.

 

[Romoshka]

Big thanks to TiaRC and fisherlady for the help. Now 1 more question: given that the rest of the girls have been laying in the broodies boxes I have eggs of all ages. I intend to candle and transfer to incubator BUT what about turning? Some will be at the point of no turn so I plan to no-turn all of em. Yes? No? Other?

 

[ChickyChickens]

I love broodies WAY more than incubators. My silkiexaustrolop hatched ALL 1 dozen eggs! a couple of days ago. When your hens go broody do you separate her from the rest of the flock? or just keep them together?

I leave my broody hens with the flock in the nest they chose to go broody in! I mark the eggs with a cross ( with a pencil) that the hen is brooding and then everyday I go and check for any unmarked eggs which I take out and place in another nest! I have been using this method for 3 years and so far its working brilliantly!!

 

[BLT79]

I am mentally chicken overwhelmed and need advice! I have one coop/run with two broodies sharing a clutch of 13 eggs due in a week. I also have a roo, two other hens and 2 ducks in same place, although ducks sleep separate. Should I take moms and babies out when they hatch? If so, how long after hatch do I remove them? And where too? I have another coop/run with a 4 1/2 month roo, and 6 3 month hens. I wanted to incorporate them all but they may still be too young next week. I also have three 7 week chicks waiting for their playhouse to be converted, this week. See the overwhelming feeling I am having? I don't have a shed or garage. I never would of taken the 3 babies if I knew mine were gonna brood. Please help! Thanks!

 

[ChickyChickens]

I am mentally chicken overwhelmed and need advice! I have one coop/run with two broodies sharing a clutch of 13 eggs due in a week. I also have a roo, two other hens and 2 ducks in same place, although ducks sleep separate. Should I take moms and babies out when they hatch? If so, how long after hatch do I remove them? And where too? I have another coop/run with a 4 1/2 month roo, and 6 3 month hens. I wanted to incorporate them all but they may still be too young next week. I also have three 7 week chicks waiting for their playhouse to be converted, this week. See the overwhelming feeling I am having? I don't have a shed or garage. I never would of taken the 3 babies if I knew mine were gonna brood. Please help! Thanks!

I leave my broody hens and their brood with the rest of the flock! If the other chickens get too aggressive then I separate them and put them I na smaller cage for a week or so until they are a bit older to run away from danger!