Broody Hen Thread!

[mymilliefleur]

Believe me, I wasn't trying to sound snarky, I like to use broodys myself, I've just had more success with them then the incubator. I'm experimenting with several hybrids right now, that I really like as broodys. my favorite is a D'uccle X Game hen. I have had 95% or better with her so far.
I hope all goes well with your hen, please keep us posted.

 

[TeaChick]

The real answer is put the eggs in the incubator as soon as you wish them to begin incubation. Since broodiness or hatching behavior is determined by hormones, waiting on a hen to go broody is like waiting on a teenage boy to grow a beard.

That said, how old are your youngest eggs .....NOW? Any hatching egg 21 days old or older when incubation first begins is imho a waste of electricity or your setting hens' time.

Thank you for the advice. Yes, if I could put them in the incubator, I would, but I would have to stack them b/c I didn't realize that my jr roo was going to start mating with my laying hens before I set the eggs that are already in there.
That's a funny analogy.

The youngest of those are a week old, the oldest are two weeks. They're the only eggs that I'm sure were fertilized by this particular roo.

Thank you so much for the honest and realistic advice!!! =)

 

[TeaChick]

Believe me, I wasn't trying to sound snarky, I like to use broodys myself, I've just had more success with them then the incubator. I'm experimenting with several hybrids right now, that I really like as broodys. my favorite is a D'uccle X Game hen. I have had 95% or better with her so far.
I hope all goes well with your hen, please keep us posted.

Thank you for letting me know. I guess that all comes down to something getting lost in translation when ppl aren't talking face-to-face.
Thanks for the info! Maybe you've created a new breed of broody. =)

Thank you, I will. =)

 

[PD-Riverman]

Not "make", offer her the opportunity encouragingly.
Yes, I know she will or won't at her own discretion.
Thanks for wishing me luck.

Thank you. I'm using real eggs, and I'm trying to get her to go broody b/c I need these eggs hatched. They have a better chance of hatching with her than stacking them in the incubator.






BTW, I find it interesting that everyone wanted to attack my choice to use a broody hen (since that's my only viable option) rather than answering my questions. Thanks for all the "help".

TeaChick, I am in No way against using a Broody---If you have not read this----I had 33 broody hens just this season. Wished I had of had 100!!

I do feel you can encourage a hen with a nest of eggs----and You are right about her own discretion-----you can lead a mule to a trough of water----but making him drink it is another story---LOL.

I wish you were close----I would give you another option for them eggs-----I would hatch them for you or loan you another incubator. Good Luck!!

 

[TeaChick]

TeaChick, I am in No way against using a Broody---If you have not read this----I had 33 broody hens just this season. Wished I had of had 100!!

I do feel you can encourage a hen with a nest of eggs----and You are right about her own discretion-----you can lead a mule to a trough of water----but making him drink it is another story---LOL.

I wish you were close----I would give you another option for them eggs-----I would hatch them for you or loan you another incubator. Good Luck!!

Thank you. Communicating online is complicated, with things getting lost. Thanks for the offer, I appreciate that! =)

 

[vpatt]

So far no sign or sound of chicks yet .......if I heard one in the shell yesterday it seems it would be hatched by now.....I know I am obsessing.

 

[Lady of McCamley]

So far no sign or sound of chicks yet .......if I heard one in the shell yesterday it seems it would be hatched by now.....I know I am obsessing.

It can take several days for chicks to hatch...longer if you are overly anxious akin to the watched pot never boiling.

Seriously if nothing has happened at 2 days over anticipated hatch date, I do a very quick careful peek. If nothing happens in 4 days past due date, it usually is a bust but I will carefully check each egg for signs of pipping and/or life and go from there.

21 days is a guideline not hard and fast rule.

Probably all is well and you wil see fuzzy balls of fluff tomorrow.

Lady of McCamley

 

[A6chickenhome]

So far no sign or sound of chicks yet .......if I heard one in the shell yesterday it seems it would be hatched by now.....I know I am obsessing.

How's it going? Any little beaks poking out from under mama hen yet? FYI my chicks took 24 hours to hatch(pip to zip) and I know it's not unusual for it to take longer.

 

[vpatt]

I will check when it is light and I go feed. Today is day 21. I will wait until tomorrow or Tuesday before looking at the eggs. Hopefully I will see or at least hear something before then. I know...watched pots...

;0(

 

[vpatt]

I will check when it is light and I go feed. Today is day 21. I will wait until tomorrow or Tuesday before looking at the eggs. Hopefully I will see or at least hear something before then. I know...watched pots...

;0(

When i went to feed I heard a few peeps. I cleared the coop and fed Olivia some turkey which she devoured.