Broody Hen Thread!

[TXchickenchick]

Agreed. I can hear the chick that's hatching right now. It's peeping loudly!

Yes, but you will only hear them if they have broken through into the air cell. You won't hear a single sound from any chick before that happens. Lack of chirping does not mean dead chicks!

 

[TXchickenchick]

Double post

 

[Rose98]

Yes, this morning the small bit of yolk sac was dry and hard ready to fall off.
I haven't had to assist with broody eggs, only incubator. Broody eggs always hatch out faster for me too. Thanks

Glad to hear it's fixed itself...
Thanks for your help, I was just curious as I have my first broody sitting at the moment and had never heard of anyone assisting in hatches when using a broody...
Thanks again.

 

[chicksurreal]

Yes, but you will only hear them if they have broken through into the air cell. You won't hear a single sound from any chick before that happens. Lack of chirping does not mean dead chicks!

Right! They need air before they can peep.

 

[Doc Roger]

I really appreciate your comments. I did feel it was too much to let her sit on another batch. I like the idea of getting a couple chicks for her. I will candle first although I have never had much luck with it. Would I be able to hear anything if there were babies in there? I wonder why she would continue to sit if she can't hear anything.
Again, thanks a lot.

Do you guys think my broody hen will bring her chicks into the pen/coop when she fells the chicks are ready/ big enough? She ran off and hatched 6 chicks in a juniper thicket. My other hens and rooster free range each day and seem to be indifferent towards the new chicks. Mom is broody and won't let anything to close to them.
I just wish she would bring them into the coop at night.

 

[buzzannie]

This is sort of cross posted, I started my own thread.
Day 21 with broody hen on 10 eggs. Last day we candled was 14.
I am reading all of these posts about Broodys hatching early and now I'm nervous!! I went out and tried to even reach to lift feathers and she was not having it. So I guess I just let it be!?!? Can this take 21 or longer with a hen??
Thank you, I'm a nervous first-time-hatcher!!!

 

[chicksurreal]

This is sort of cross posted, I started my own thread.
Day 21 with broody hen on 10 eggs. Last day we candled was 14.
I am reading all of these posts about Broodys hatching early and now I'm nervous!! I went out and tried to even reach to lift feathers and she was not having it. So I guess I just let it be!?!? Can this take 21 or longer with a hen??
Thank you, I'm a nervous first-time-hatcher!!!

It can absolutely take longer. My first broody didn't have her first egg hatch until day 24!


Edited to add - Are you sure none have hatched yet? We went out on day 25 to get Nessie's eggs because I thought they wouldn't be any good and we found a fluffy little chick under her! We left the other eggs and another one hatched that day.

 

[blkjak]

This is good to know. I have hens on day 23 and still no chicks. I will leave them a few more days then.

 

[buzzannie]

It can absolutely take longer. My first broody didn't have her first egg hatch until day 24! 


Edited to add - Are you sure none have hatched yet? We went out on day 25 to get Nessie's eggs because I thought they wouldn't be any good and we found a fluffy little chick under her! We left the other eggs and another one hatched that day.

Thank you so much for your encouragement! I tried to see if I could move some feathers out of the way, but she wasn't having it!

 

[chicksurreal]

This is good to know. I have hens on day 23 and still no chicks. I will leave them a few more days then.

I was amazed to see that chick under her! She had been so quiet, I never heard a thing until we moved Nessie!

Thank you so much for your encouragement! I tried to see if I could move some feathers out of the way, but she wasn't having it!

We had to battle Nessie to move her. Finally my husband just picked her up and the chick had been under her wing. They have a little sound they make to let the chicks know to be quiet, and it works!