Broody Hen Thread!

[vpatt]

Did someone say that hatching could take longer in cold weather?

 

[PD-Riverman]

Did someone say that hatching could take longer in cold weather?

Could----a little, but shouldn't. Some peoples do----They are better off to hatch on time. My main incubator is in a unheated storage building-----they hatch on day 20 and early day 21 now just like they did in mid summer. Sure one or two might hatch on day 19, but I have never had one to hatch after day 21. I have even broke the ones that did not hatch-----none were alive. Good Luck

 

[Lady of McCamley]

Did someone say that hatching could take longer in cold weather?

With a broody hen, yes cold weather can skew things a bit and add a day or two.

Usually my small Silkie would still hatch on days 20 to 21, but I usually had one or two fully formed that did not hatch...I think those on the fringes would get cold.

Make sure the chicks cannot fall out of the nest or strand themselves around a corner or blind spot...even a not so obvious to you but their eye level...you can lose them quickly to chill in cold weather. But as long as they are with momma, they are fine.

Lady of McCamley

 

[Angie16hearts]

So awhile back I had a hen ( Pepper) try to go broody long story short she lost interest and stopped laying for 3 months. Not expecting any Brood's' right now, I went to the coop yesterday morning. She was in the box. I didn't think much intel I got home from work and she was 3 x her normal size and mad at me! I quickly put old eggs under her. I have some fertile eggs I want to use. All night she sat on the eggs. And once again this morning very vocal and puffed up on eggs. Sunday I cleaned the coop and put new bedding in. I noticed she had plucked her chest feathers and placed them nicely around nest but she free ranged for the day.
Question- how many days should I wait to out the fertile eggs under her?
Also, I work 9:30-5 , should I be pulling her out in the mornings to go to the bathroom and eat ? Or will she do this on her own?

She's a OEG and seems this is full broody ! She has never not perched with the Roo always sits right next to him! She's the head hen so the other ladies keep there distance.. So I know her hormones are going. She also never shows interest in laying box!
Also if day 3 goes on should I move her? I have a smaller coop i can out her in. We have 10 hens a few being aggressive ! I don't think they will mess with her as like I said she's head hen. She won't even let any of them dirt bath with her.
Any info I would love ! Thanks in advance! This is her this morning when I went to check on them.

 

[vpatt]

With a broody hen, yes cold weather can skew things a bit and add a day or two.

Usually my small Silkie would still hatch on days 20 to 21, but I usually had one or two fully formed that did not hatch...I think those on the fringes would get cold.

Make sure the chicks cannot fall out of the nest or strand themselves around a corner or blind spot...even a not so obvious to you but their eye level...you can lose them quickly to chill in cold weather. But as long as they are with momma, they are fine.

Lady of McCamley

Thanks....I am just as excited as the first time.

 

[vpatt]

Could----a little, but shouldn't. Some peoples do----They are better off to hatch on time. My main incubator is in a unheated storage building-----they hatch on day 20 and early day 21 now just like they did in mid summer. Sure one or two might hatch on day 19, but I have never had one to hatch after day 21. I have even broke the ones that did not hatch-----none were alive. Good Luck

Thank you, PD.

 

[PD-Riverman]

I noticed she had plucked her chest feathers and placed them nicely around nest but she free ranged for the day.
Question- how many days should I wait to out the fertile eggs under her?
Also, I work 9:30-5 , should I be pulling her out in the mornings to go to the bathroom and eat ? Or will she do this on her own?

If she stayed of the nest a good portion of the day----freeranging---she is not ready. I would not put eggs under her till she stayed on the nest all day--except for a short while to eat/drink, etc and NO you do not have to take her off the nest. Do not even give her food where she does not have to get off to eat. When she seems to be staying on the nest----if you are going to set her----mark every how many eggs you are going to put under her---then each day tilt her up and remove ALL unmarked eggs. "I" Would move her(some don't) after she has been setting 2/3 days to a private pen, that is big enough that she can get off the nest to exercise, eat, poop etc. I move all mine after dark---nest and all so I do not upset her. If you move her then you will not have to look under her any more----let her hatch---do not be lifting her the last 3 days to see whats going on----just let her take care of it. Good Luck!

 

[Angie16hearts]

If she stayed of the nest a good portion of the day----freeranging---she is not ready. I would not put eggs under her till she stayed on the nest all day--except for a short while to eat/drink, etc and NO you do not have to take her off the nest. Do not even give her food where she does not have to get off to eat. When she seems to be staying on the nest----if you are going to set her----mark every how many eggs you are going to put under her---then each day tilt her up and remove ALL unmarked eggs. "I" Would move her(some don't) after she has been setting 2/3 days to a private pen, that is big enough that she can get off the nest to exercise, eat, poop etc. I move all mine after dark---nest and all so I do not upset her. If you move her then you will not have to look under her any more----let her hatch---do not be lifting her the last 3 days to see whats going on----just let her take care of it. Good Luck!

Thank you! She started Sunday night and I'm yet to see her off the nest. Very upset if I open box. So it's safe to move her tomorrow night if she's still sitting? she played Saturday. The same day she pulled out chest feathers and placed them so nicely in nest. now that I think back that's the day I noticed her plucking feathers. More then a feather falling off. Oops so this would be day three of her not off the nest. She will not let any hen near her!!! I'll move her tomorrow night and put new eggs under her. Then just let her do her thing. What days do I candle the eggs? Or will this upset her? Thanks again!!

 

[PD-Riverman]

Thank you! She started Sunday night and I'm yet to see her off the nest. Very upset if I open box. So it's safe to move her tomorrow night if she's still sitting? she played Saturday. The same day she pulled out chest feathers and placed them so nicely in nest. now that I think back that's the day I noticed her plucking feathers. More then a feather falling off. Oops so this would be day three of her not off the nest. She will not let any hen near her!!! I'll move her tomorrow night and put new eggs under her. Then just let her do her thing. What days do I candle the eggs? Or will this upset her? Thanks again!!

I never candle my hens egg ----you can if you want----If "I" was going to candle I would wait till day 12. I just put my own chickens eggs under them----eggs I feel sure are fertile. I had 33 broodies that I set this past season---had more broodies that I broke. They hatched most all the eggs. I use the plastic milk crates with most of the front cut out----I pick this crate up with the hen in it----after dark and gently walk to the hatching pens----set it down in the box easy. I already have feed and water in the pen---so when daylight starts coming in---she can see food and water etc. Doing it like this---I have never had one to leave the nest. Good Luck!

 

[Angie16hearts]

T

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I never candle my hens egg ----you can if you want----If "I" was going to candle I would wait till day 12. I just put my own chickens eggs under them----eggs I feel sure are fertile. I had 33 broodies that I set this past season---had more broodies that I broke. They hatched most all the eggs. I use the plastic milk crates with most of the front cut out----I pick this crate up with the hen in it----after dark and gently walk to the hatching pens----set it down in the box easy. I already have feed and water in the pen---so when daylight starts coming in---she can see food and water etc. Doing it like this---I have never had one to leave the nest. Good Luck!
[/quote Thank you ! This is my first experience . Sounds like I don't have to do much. I'll keep my fingers crossed. I hope she is on the nest still when I get home. Golden if she is!