Broody Hen Thread!

[cbourbeau32]

Give her an area to herself (where no other hens can lay)

What if I don't have an area available where no others can lay? Is there a way to leave her in the nesting box in the coop with the other chickens?

 

[Sonya9]

What if I don't have an area available where no others can lay? Is there a way to leave her in the nesting box in the coop with the other chickens?

Find/make and area. Use a wire dog crate if need be. I have a small 4x8 coop and I section off a small 2 x 4' area with wire (could even use chicken wire) to give the broody some space inside the coop (and also raise her chicks for the first few days).

If you leave her in the main nest box others will keep laying which could easily lead to squabbles, broken eggs, and dead chicks. If you do not properly mark the eggs that were set at the start then that usually leads to a huge pile of eggs down the road, some developing, some not, and the whole lot of them dying/being wasted.


Even if you diligently removed the "new" eggs every day that would still stress the broody out (seeing her precious eggs being stolen) which is not a good idea if the goal is a few happy broody raised chicks.

See below, I used a couple of sections of dog pen (with plastic at the bottom to prevent tiny chicks from walking out) to provide the broody/chicks space. It doesn't have to be fancy. There were actually two broody bantams sitting on eggs in the photo below, one on the left in a small cardboard box and the other in a plastic nest box) they didn't squabble until the chicks were born (both sets of eggs were started on the same day so both clutches hatched simultaneously).

 

[Sonya9]

She is making a clucking sound that she didn't make before we put the chicks under her. She hasn't gotten up from her nest yet (I did take her two fake eggs out when I put the babies in), nor really acknowledged the chicks. She hasn't kicked them out from under her, though, so I'm taking that as a good sign (hopefully?) They are coming out, and pecking her eyes and wattles (the chicks are pecking the hen), is that a solvable problem?

Sounds like things are going great! And yes the chicks like to pick at the hen's face, the broody can handle it. The fact they are doing that means the chicks are comfortable and so is the hen.

 

[chicksurreal]

What if I don't have an area available where no others can lay? Is there a way to leave her in the nesting box in the coop with the other chickens?

Both of my broodys have chosen to use a dog crate as a nesting box while brooding. We put them in the run to help alleviate egg layer issues and everyone wanted to lay in the carriers vs nesting boxes. It made it simple to remove the broody from the rest of the hens, just pick up the whole carrier and move to a secure location where she and her eggs will be safe from hen squabbles, predators, weather, etc.

 

[chicksurreal]

Sounds like things are going great! And yes the chicks like to pick at the hen's face, the broody can handle it. The fact they are doing that means the chicks are comfortable and so is the hen.

It worried me when I first saw the chicks pecking at the hens eyes, they were practically hanging off her eyelids, Lol.

She handled it easily and at three weeks old they no longer do it. It was the first couple of days after they hatched and started to explore a bit that I noticed it the most. She was really gentle with them and just moved her head to make them stop.

 

[Sonya9]

It worried me when I first saw the chicks pecking at the hens eyes, they were practically hanging off her eyelids, Lol.

LOL...I thought about your "hanging off eyelids" comment this afternoon. The one day old cockerel was climbing on the broodys back and he went to peck her eye....when she jerked her head forward he flew and landed in front of her.

Apparently they really DO hang off the broody's eyelids, or at least hold on to them even when it sends them airborne!

 

[Angie16hearts]

No,  OEG Bantams are wildtype so they can be sexed based on their markings. The coloring is natural and appears in every generation (unlike sex links). I first thought I might have two males but I think the smaller chick was still damp, later in the day her markings were much sharper and very female.

i have a OEG in 9 of her own eggs. How can you tell by the coloring which is a cockerel or pullet? I would love to know. Thanks in advance !

 

[Angie16hearts]

I have a frizzle cochin on 2 EE eggs. She's about half way through her broodiness. Is it common for them to molt? She is so not cute right now! She has barely any hair. No joke I feel bad for her she looks like she's naked!!!

She's eating well and coming off eggs 2x a day. None of my other brood's have lost any feathering.
This picture does not do justice! I don't want to bother her to much but towards back, butt the hair is all gone.

 

[16 paws]

I have a frizzle cochin on 2 EE eggs. She's about half way through her broodiness. Is it common for them to molt? She is so not cute right now! She has barely any hair. No joke I feel bad for her she looks like she's naked!!!

She's eating well and coming off eggs 2x a day. None of my other brood's have lost any feathering.
This picture does not do justice! I don't want to bother her to much but towards back, butt the hair is all gone.

I have a frizzle that loses her feathers when she is broody. Here is a picture of her, she is not a naked neck but she looks like one when she broods.
I wouldnt worry too much, just make sure she has lots of protein.
Marie

 

[16 paws]

Ok guys,
Guess what?
I didnt even think of it when I set Laylas eggs but I am a new chicken mother on MOTHERS DAY!

How cool is that? I havent seen them yet but I heard chirping and see 2 empty egg shells. One olive egger and one bantam cochin so far. Now come on you little blue egg Lavender Americanas, you better hatch and you better be pullets!

Everyone pray for pullets please!
Thanks
Marie