Broody Hen Thread!

[Mrs. Fluffy Puffy]

Hello everyone,
I have a question and would really appreciate any advice. My silkie momma was on 8 eggs for 23 days I started to lose hope that any were going to hatch. But two nights ago I went and checked on her and we had one little peep and then yesterday another little peep!! They are both healthy and seem to be doing great. The momma was up with the babies for about 5 min this morning but hurried back to the eggs. My question is how long should I leave her with the eggs? It's been very chilly here which I think slowed down the hatch time some.
I've been candling all the eggs and they were all growing great!!! Thanks for the help

Since she is still setting on eggs, and has chicks as well, just leave her on the nest and put food and water near the nest so the babies that are already hatched can eat/drink etc. Good luck! Please post some pictures if you have time. : )

~ Aspen

 

[hokankai]

Okay then I will get to the job of breaking them ASAP!!!

So if they become broody they stay broody? I've also noticed that they don't eat or drink very much while their broody...is this true?

They will stay broody until their hormones go down. And yes they do not eat or drink or poop much at all when they are broody. Mine only left a couple times a day and I actually had to remove her from the nest to make her eat/drink/poop.

I forgot to mention that when you break them have a light on all the time. Darkness fuels their broodiness.

 

[MommaOf Six]

Thanks Aspen

The first baby

Both babies with momma<3

 

[rebeccamariemiller]

I do believe my buff orpington hen is starting to go broody. She just laid her first egg today and when I reached in she got off the nest
and walked around protesting loudly. Then she drank some water and when I went back a few minutes later she was back on the nest.
Her eggs have no chance of being fertilized so I replacd it with an egg from the hen pen that has a rooster in it. If it hatches it will be black sex link barred rock cross.

 

[Mrs. Fluffy Puffy]

Thanks Aspen

The first baby

Both babies with momma<3

You're Welcome sugar. : )

How adorable!! Are those chicks from your flock's eggs, or did you order some hatching eggs?

~ Aspen

 

[Mrs. Fluffy Puffy]

I do believe my buff orpington hen is starting to go broody. She just laid her first egg today and when I reached in she got off the nest
and walked around protesting loudly. Then she drank some water and when I went back a few minutes later she was back on the nest.
Her eggs have no chance of being fertilized so I replacd it with an egg from the hen pen that has a rooster in it. If it hatches it will be black sex link barred rock cross.

Oh, I hope it hatches! In a couple of days you can candle the egg and see if it's fertile and growing. : )

~ Aspen

 

[rebeccamariemiller]

I hope it hatches too, If it does I am going to put more under her next time.

 

[Mr MKK FARMS]

Thanks Aspen

The first baby

Both babies with momma<3

Awww, that is so cute!

 

[MommaOf Six]

Aspen,

Two of my silkie momma's happened to go broody for the first time together. But when I candled at day 12 they were infertile so I decided to order some hatching eggs of different breeds, that I don't have yet I just LOVE new babies and there's nothing better then seeing a momma with her babies!

I may candle the eggs tonight to see if there's movement of any kind

 

[Mrs. Fluffy Puffy]

Aspen,
Two of my silkie momma's happened to go broody for the first time together. But when I candled at day 12 they were infertile so I decided to order some hatching eggs of different breeds, that I don't have yet I just LOVE new babies and there's nothing better then seeing a momma with her babies!
I may candle the eggs tonight to see if there's movement of any kind

That is so fun!! How many eggs does she still have under her?

~ Aspen