Broody Hen Thread!

[chicksurreal]

So, I have a question about the hatching process when a broody is involved vs. incubator. I know it's best to not help a chick out of the shell yourself unless absolutely necessary.

I was fortunate enough to see two hatch of the so far 4 hatches from MayBelle today and I noticed that one of the eggs was taking a long time to hatch, which I understand is normal, but she was helping it out of the shell after about 6 hours or so. She was very delicately pecking and pulling at the shell and membrane and she actually pulled it's wing out of the shell herself. After that, it was a matter of maybe ten minutes before it pushed itself out. Also, the first chick that hatched (hours before) was climbing all over the partially hatched chick and pecking at the shell too. Is that normal? Lol!

The second chick I saw hatch happened during this time too. I heard the shell crack and within about 2 minutes the chick had broken out of the shell and was getting itself under mamma. It was the total opposite of the other one. Very interesting!

 

[CanaDawn]

How cool that the hen helped. I haven't watched a broody with pipped eggs, as ours always just showed up with fluffballs parading along, but I have wondered how involved they get...I guess in some cases the answer is "quite!"

 

[chicksurreal]

How cool that the hen helped. I haven't watched a broody with pipped eggs, as ours always just showed up with fluffballs parading along, but I have wondered how involved they get...I guess in some cases the answer is "quite!"

I was amazed, I've never seen it happen either!

 

[chicksurreal]

MayBelle and her brood.

It's about 103 here today, so they felt comfortable coming out from under her!I'm pretty sure she's shooting laser beams out of her eyes.

 

[GitaBooks]

MayBelle's chicks are hatching! One is out and another one is pipping, I can hear it cheeping in there. She's got 7 total, but I'm not sure they're all fertile. I'll get pictures as soon as possible, so cute!

Congrats!

 

[GitaBooks]

So, I have a question about the hatching process when a broody is involved vs. incubator. I know it's best to not help a chick out of the shell yourself unless absolutely necessary.

I was fortunate enough to see two hatch of the so far 4 hatches from MayBelle today and I noticed that one of the eggs was taking a long time to hatch, which I understand is normal, but she was helping it out of the shell after about 6 hours or so. She was very delicately pecking and pulling at the shell and membrane and she actually pulled it's wing out of the shell herself. After that, it was a matter of maybe ten minutes before it pushed itself out. Also, the first chick that hatched (hours before) was climbing all over the partially hatched chick and pecking at the shell too. Is that normal? Lol!

The second chick I saw hatch happened during this time too. I heard the shell crack and within about 2 minutes the chick had broken out of the shell and was getting itself under mamma. It was the total opposite of the other one. Very interesting!

Incredible! That is amazing!
I've about heard hens do it before, but I wasn't really sure if it was true or not. It just goes to show how smart the momma hens are.

 

[chicksurreal]

Congrats!

Thanks!

 

[chicksurreal]

Incredible! That is amazing!
I've about heard hens do it before, but I wasn't really sure if it was true or not. It just goes to show how smart the momma hens are.

Yes! It was so awesome to watch her, she was so gentle and careful. I was a bit concerned because she had the egg out in front of her instead of under her after a few hours, but maybe she was watching it to see where the help was needed. There was about a quarter sized hole in the egg and the chicks beak was showing, so I knew it could breathe, but I worried about it drying out. She knew what she was doing though!

 

[FarmerMac]

I have two hens that are sisters and my "go to" broody if I don't use the incubator, I didn't want to hatch more chicks this year but they would not stop the broodiness so I gave then 4 eggs each. One hatched two and the other one hatched three. Here they are with their mixed flock chicks.

 

[SpoilMyPooch]

So, I have a question about the hatching process when a broody is involved vs. incubator. I know it's best to not help a chick out of the shell yourself unless absolutely necessary.

I was fortunate enough to see two hatch of the so far 4 hatches from MayBelle today and I noticed that one of the eggs was taking a long time to hatch, which I understand is normal, but she was helping it out of the shell after about 6 hours or so. She was very delicately pecking and pulling at the shell and membrane and she actually pulled it's wing out of the shell herself. After that, it was a matter of maybe ten minutes before it pushed itself out. Also, the first chick that hatched (hours before) was climbing all over the partially hatched chick and pecking at the shell too. Is that normal? Lol!

The second chick I saw hatch happened during this time too. I heard the shell crack and within about 2 minutes the chick had broken out of the shell and was getting itself under mamma. It was the total opposite of the other one. Very interesting!

And you were lucky enough to witness it. A lovely story..