Broody Hen Thread!

[fisherlady]

Here is Jewel's newest 2 hatched her blue chick did not make it.

Beautiful pics/chicks!

 

[Ilovefarming]

I have my first broody girl. Been sittin on her 12 fertile eggys for about 5 days now.... today is her 5th day!! I am candleing them on day 9!!

 

[luvmypets]

Congrats!

 

[calichicken]

I have my first broody girl. Been sittin on her 12 fertile eggys for about 5 days now.... today is her 5th day!! I am candleing them on day 9!!

YAY!!!!! Good luck with your girl! I am planning on putting eggs under my broody hopefully friday

 

[wvcountrygirl]

You're most welcome! Sorry my answer was so brief but I thought you'd appreciate a timely answer to your questions and only had time for a quick response at the time. A little further elaboration this time: there's really no benefit to keeping her infertile eggs under her because it's more work for her turning more eggs that really serve no purpose at this point. She doesn't differentiate between her eggs and the duck eggs she's accepted and is sitting on. In her mind they are all her eggs and as long as she's sitting on some viable eggs, she's happy. Plus those infertile eggs take up valuable under-broody real estate space. ;-)

Thanks for all the information! I took her eggs out last night, so now she is only setting on the duck eggs. I feel much better ant her being able to cover the much larger duck eggs now!

 

[ochochicas]

I've accepted the fact that my Marans went broody and got her some eggs to incubate. Now one of the Australorps seems to be jealous and she has gone broody as well. I have her in a wire cage for the night since I could not keep her on the roost. I don't need two broodies! If I can't break her I suppose I will divide up the eggs after I candle them and let her sit on half and hatch them out. Who knew having laying hens could be so complicated!

 

[IttyBiddyRedHen]

Hello to the thread people! I am not sure if I have posted here before or not.

We just had our fourth total broody hatch. 2 last summer, and 2 this summer. I have to say, it is an interesting learning process....watching how the broody hen does her stuff.
My husband and I are raising dual purpose birds...and got our first flock in 2011. We didn't get to hatch any chicks till 2013.

So, this last hatch was July 7th. 7 chicks. I set mama hen up in whatever comfortable nest she prefers, and just check on her to make sure things are going well. I don't worry about providing food and water till she hits the lock down stage, The 2 OEGB hens I have for broodies, get off their nests once a day and do their business. So far so good. and I do not candle. Whatever happens...happens. I don't own an incubator and don't plan on buying one. Mama hen is the incubator.

 

[HeyBigRhondaq]

Too many posts to quote all, but I love reading about how people deal with broodies! My two broodies', who seem to be sharing a nest, eggs are starting to hatch! They are just barnyard mixes, but the first one out successfully is gorgeous! It's a mix between some kind of black hen with a rose comb and a blue orpington. It looks very silver-y right now! Pics to follow this afternoon (after they hatch a few more). Only three eggs remain!

 

[calichicken]

Too many posts to quote all, but I love reading about how people deal with broodies! My two broodies', who seem to be sharing a nest, eggs are starting to hatch! They are just barnyard mixes, but the first one out successfully is gorgeous! It's a mix between some kind of black hen with a rose comb and a blue orpington. It looks very silver-y right now! Pics to follow this afternoon (after they hatch a few more). Only three eggs remain!

Congrats on your baby! Can't wait to see a picture...sounds like a beautiful color!

 

[IttyBiddyRedHen]

Watching the mama hen hatch the chicks is so rewarding. My hens get this look on their little beaky faces when they hit the lock down phase. They can feel the babies moving in the chell, and hear them peeping. So you can see their mama minds working.....as all their eggs start to hatch.