Broody Hen Thread!

[SD Bird Lady]

A lot depends on the flock. My three broodies all were left in the coop and just segregated from general populations. As soon as everyone was hatched the partition was taken away. I never had any problems, momma is usually pretty fierce. This is only my limited experience so take it for what its worth.

 

[Penny Hen]

Yes, if she has quit you can move them to a safe location (but only if you can do it without rolling them around or disturbing them much, otherwise leave them in place).... lay a thermometer on top of the eggs and use a heat lamp to keep the nest around a 100+/- a degree, but I'm not positive on the temp. I don't incubator hatch, so you will need to use the search block above to find exact temp for hatching.
Since the broody is not able to provide humidity during hatch you will need to watch for shrink wrapped chicks, I can't think of any reliable way to provide higher humidity at this point unless you are able to move them into a bathroom and run the shower once in a while.

You can use a spray bottle with warm water in it and just mist the eggs 2 or 3 times a day.

 

[Rhandi74]

I raised my last broody chicks with the flock and she never let anyone hurt them. My hen took care of any other chicken that came close to them. Jewel, my hen, never left the flock, she sat on her eggs in the nest box and when they hatched she raised them under the coop in a dog house, in the run they all shared. I watched very closely to make sure that Jewel would protect them and she did great at keeping them safe. She is now doing the same with her ducklings while they free range but I do not have them living with the flock because they will not live with the chickens when Jewel is done raising them, they will be with the ducks. Good Luck and if you transition them to living with the flock be sure that your hen can and will protect the chicks before leaving them unsupervised.

 

[darkbluespace]

Our hens eggs are due tomorrow. But, it looks as if she has stopped brooding them. Could I put a brooder lamp above them to keep them warm? They are still alive, I can here them pecking when I put the egg close to my ear. Can I still hatch them? They are due tomorrow.

How are those eggs doing??

 

[Junibutt]

It seems like I am having a happy ending after all. I have 2 chicks so far. 1 CL X RIR and 1 CL X Red Star. The CL x CL pipped 3 hrs ago as well, so I am hopeful on that too. So if I can get 3 of the 5 good ones that went to lockdown and especially after yesterday's disaster, I am feeling very lucky and happy. Thank you everyone for giving me support after yesterday's disaster.

Here are some pics. Please comment on the gender if you may.

First two are from CL x RIR- I think its a girl because of no head spot and distinct chipmunk pattern from Legbars but could be wrong.





Next two are from CL X Red Star. I am confused about this chicks gender
Do distinct chipmunk pattern calls for a boy, but then there is no headspot (if Legbar barring trait is carried)
Feather pattern tells me its a girl but I could be wrong. Head is too big for a girl.
Its a big fat girl if she is. Whopping 2 oz (56 grams)





Here is a nice pic of both of the together:

 

[JessicaHen]

I've had a broody Buff Orp for about 6 weeks now! Sea already hatched out 6 babies and now has 6 more due in two days! I have to check under her everyday to take out any new eggs that were laid in her box. Everyday I have a green egg from my EE in there and I was wondering when the heck she was getting in there to lay it!! Well I found out yesterday and snapped a photo!!

 

[treasurewood]

I have a broody on 6 eggs which are hatching today... her behaviour has suddenly gone strange and she keeps jumping off the nest and running around clucking madly as though she has just laid an egg. I've steered her back to her nest 3 times and as soon as she sees the nest she jumps straight back on...

 

[treasurewood]

Sorry, I meant to ask... is this normal behaviour? Should I be steering her back? Keeping an eye on her? It doesn't seem normal from my experience...

 

[Lalegid]

Here's one of my broodies, in the "maternity ward". My other broody is in the main nesting box. She's a rather cranky creature who got very upset when I tried to move her to a new nest. They are sitting on a spangled pekin egg each (they were on leghorns too, but I've put those back in the incubator now that there is space). They should hatch any day now.

 

[SD Bird Lady]

I have never had one do that. Hopefully someone else can help.