Broody Hen Thread!

[SIMZ]

Well....after I put straw in the little coop and hooked up a heated bowl, she took those little ones into the big coop again - and stayed this time. It would work perfectly to have all of my chickens in the one coop just in time for winter. BUT - you guys are saying I don't need to worry about them being pecked to death by the other chickens in the morning before I open the door? I'm worried about that because I would never put chicks that little in with the big ones.

 

[SD Bird Lady]

Depends on the flock. Mine are hatched among the flock and never leave. So I have no experience with reintroduction.

 

[SIMZ]

Ok. They've always been around them - separated by a fence within the main run. They've been running amongst the flock now for at least a few weeks, but she takes them into their little coop at night. I think it's probably ok as long as their mom is with them. I'll go out first thing just to be sure.

 

[SD Bird Lady]

Sounds like everyone is acquainted. Momma knows best usually.

 

[PD-Riverman]

Well....after I put straw in the little coop and hooked up a heated bowl, she took those little ones into the big coop again - and stayed this time. It would work perfectly to have all of my chickens in the one coop just in time for winter. BUT - you guys are saying I don't need to worry about them being pecked to death by the other chickens in the morning before I open the door? I'm worried about that because I would never put chicks that little in with the big ones.

The great thing about raising Our Own chickens is----We can raise OURS the way We want to raise them.

Some years back I seem to loose some from about ever hatching when I allowed the broody mother and chicks to stay with the other chickens. Sometimes the broody hen would get hurt up protecting them. Now "I" Never Mix them. I Take the Mother hen away from the chicks when the chicks feather out and do not need her for heat. The Chicks stay in their own place, not getting pecked on, stomped, eating the best food for them. When the chicks get full grown and start Laying good, the Older hens take a ride(Sold). Just The Way I do It!!

 

[kmollyhughes]

Ok.  They've always been around them  - separated by a fence within the main run.  They've been running amongst the flock now for at least a few weeks, but she takes them into their little coop at night.  I think it's probably ok as long as their mom is with them.  I'll go out first thing just to be sure. 

I've had curious hens if I pulled the broody, but none actively aggressive. That's why I use broodies. The flock knows her and she'll bring the babies in and make them flock members also. My flock is somewhere in the 60-80 bird range and no one messes with the chicks I have in there. Marans all the way down to tiny D'Uccles. There's the normal pecking for treats first, but everyone's happy together.

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[roseyred]

Anyone in maryland wanna let me put some eggs under there broody? We can split the hatch? I've got 3 dif wyandottes colors, Rhode Island red, cuckoo maran and Easter egger/Olive egger eggs! Fertile and plentiful!

 

[SIMZ]

That's encouraging to hear! Of course, I went out and checked on them before the light went out. The babies are snuggled with mom on the roost beside my very nice rooster. Thanks for the help and patience! I've had several broodies raise several batches - most eventually out with the flock, but never had babies go into the big coop. So this is new for me! Often, the hens would leave the chicks and they'd go back to their little coop they'd been in. I'm hoping this goes well and they can just stay in there.

 

[ChickyChickens]

I've had curious hens if I pulled the broody, but none actively aggressive. That's why I use broodies. The flock knows her and she'll bring the babies in and make them flock members also. My flock is somewhere in the 60-80 bird range and no one messes with the chicks I have in there. Marans all the way down to tiny D'Uccles. There's the normal pecking for treats first, but everyone's happy together.

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Love the grey hen!! She is nice!!

 

[SIMZ]

So far, so good! This morning she had them under her by the door ready to go out with everyone else. They all seem fine. My recently integrated 14-week-olds seem to have a tougher time than these little guys.