Broody Hen Thread!

[n3kms]

I'm not sure what your best plan of action is because the flock dynamics provide too many variables without knowing them.... but I can tell you that we usually give our hens 2 or 3 days of peace and quiet with there new hatched chicks and then they are able to go into the main coop with them, but in the main coop they are given a quiet corner where they can retreat to when things get too busy for them.  A broody hen usually is quite effective at protecting her little ones though if she is low on the pecking order or a banty size who is outmatched by the other hens in the flock then you will want to supervise for a while.... you can also provide food behind a fence that only the little ones can fit through so they can eat without being harassed by older birds.  (a piece of 2x3 or 2x4 goat type fencing would work) or cover their food dish with a fence hood and elevate it 3 or 4 inches off of the ground so only the chicks can 'creep' under it to get to their food.  If you search for 'creep feeders' on this site you will probably find some picture examples of them.

Before you place the chicks in the main coop you should give it a good once over with an eye toward potential chick hazards.... they are experts at getting stuck in cracks and crevices or falling into areas they then can't get out of.  Either my DH or I do head counts every evening and usually during the day also.  Any time I see a broody out and about I count how many are with her and if the count comes up short I start looking.  That is pretty simple unless you have multiple broodies which routinely share chicks, but that is a different situation.

Besides their creep feeder and a safe haven for them you will want to make sure they can easily reach the food and water which is out for the other birds.  I usually just use a block of wood or a brick as a step in front of the feeder or waterer.  Even when they have their own places to eat or drink they like to imitate the older birds.

Thanks for letting me know about the food and water situation. I had made a creep feeder last year when I had chicks with a 5 week age difference. I have 2 nipple waters that are identical that I am using one for them now and I can set them at different levels but still put a step up for the other one. I have a feeling that Anastasia will do a fine job of protecting them. She was kind of a loner before but nobody bothered her. I think I may just go with the dog crate where they can huddle at night or during the day if needed but otherwise be with the flock. I do need to do some spring cleaning and safety measures in the coop before I make the move. I even impressed that she takes them down the ramp of the broody coop/run in the morning and back up at night. They have just done so well I hope it keeps up.

 

[katiec1824]

I can't get any of my hens to go broody to SAVE MY LIFE!! I sure wish I knew a trick to encourage them to bc I have a hatching curse

 

[chickbrad24]

Katiec1824, I thought I had a hatching curse last summer. I had 4 or five broodies all of them gave up. My buff duck gave up on day 18. I had no back up plan I lost all 11 ducklings, I had a Jersey Giant give up on day 18 aswell still had no incubator lost all the chicks she went broody again and gave up. My Buff Brahma gave up day 12. Then I had a broody Buff Orphington I ordered an incubator it came 3 days later my Buff O was killed by my brothers dog who snuck in the coop. I fired up the incubator after 21 days nothing waited 23 days still nothing. They all formed and I heard peeping but they all died. So now with my 3 broodies I check on them once a day and for the most part leave them alon. and hopefully soon I will have baby chicks. :cd :cd :cd


And that was my summer and fall last year but I've learned my lesson the hard way. And stuff happens but it will all get better.

 

[chicksurreal]

Katiec1824, I thought I had a hatching curse last summer. I had 4 or five broodies all of them gave up. My buff duck gave up on day 18. I had no back up plan I lost all 11 ducklings, I had a Jersey Giant give up on day 18 aswell still had no incubator lost all the chicks she went broody again and gave up. My Buff Brahma gave up day 12. Then I had a broody Buff Orphington I ordered an incubator it came 3 days later my Buff O was killed by my brothers dog who snuck in the coop. I fired up the incubator after 21 days nothing waited 23 days still nothing. They all formed and I heard peeping but they all died. So now with my 3 broodies I check on them once a day and for the most part leave them alon. and hopefully soon I will have baby chicks.

And that was my summer and fall last year but I've learned my lesson the hard way. And stuff happens but it will all get better.

Wow, that's rough. Here's to better days and better hatches!

 

[chickbrad24]

Wow, that's rough. Here's to better days and better hatches!

Thank you chicksurreal I second that. Here's to better days and better hatches !

 

[chickengeorgeto]

I can't get any of my hens to go broody to SAVE MY LIFE!! I sure wish I knew a trick to encourage them to bc I have a hatching curse

You never will get any hen to go broody. Hens go broody in their own good time, and never on a humans' time table. Some hens, even so called "Heritage" breeds have had the desire to hatch eggs bred out of them in order to produce eggs during the time that they would be sitting.

 

[hayleynzodiac]

I have a broody sitting on eggs expected to hatch any time now. We are in the northwest and it may be freezing at night. Should I provide them and mama some heat? Also, the current bedding is fairly deep, a few inches. Should we take some out? Concerned chicks will struggle getting out of nesting box, to food and back up. Thanks for any advice!

 

[aart]

I have a broody sitting on eggs expected to hatch any time now. We are in the northwest and it may be freezing at night. Should I provide them and mama some heat? Also, the current bedding is fairly deep, a few inches. Should we take some out? Concerned chicks will struggle getting out of nesting box, to food and back up. Thanks for any advice!

They'll be fine....I had a broody hatch out 7 in the middle of winter...they won't need to eat for a couple days.
Put the food/water close to the nest, mama will keep them warm between snack and sips

 

[Ol Grey Mare]

They'll be fine....I had a broody hatch out 7 in the middle of winter...they won't need to eat for a couple days.
Put the food/water close to the nest, mama will keep them warm between snack and sips

X 2 - if the chicks aren't able to easily get back into the nest box (how high up is it?) the hen will relocate the family to a new place for sleeping by digging up a "nest" on the floor, so deep bedding is a good idea. My broodies have always hatched in a nest box and then moved to a new location once the chicks are ready to leave that first nest (after the first couple of days when everyone is hatched, dry and hungry).

 

[Kendrain]

Well after setting 40 eggs in the incubator I think I have one going broody. She seems serious and so I just keep putting eggs under her. Lol she is small but I think about 25 will do the trick. Lol