Broody Hen Thread!

[melina90]

I have 6 hens and no roosters. she would never hatch anything out. she would end up just sitting and sitting and that wouldn't be healthy for her. the food or water is nowhere near the nesting spot.... she would die. Thank you for asking.

It's not always a good timimg for a broody. Hope you got her broken up fast and easy! Mine are really difficult to "unbrood" once they first have their minds set lol.

 

[kukupecpec]

So after I moved my broody I think she freaked out. She was up this morning pacing like mad, but I noticed her water was empty so I filled that back up (will keep a better eye on it now) could that have been what made her freak? Or is she no longer broody and just wants back with her flock?

 

[el pollo rey]

I have 4 new grand chickies

cool deal

 

[el pollo rey]

Well, my third possible broody hen turned out NOT to be broody. But the first two most definitely are! I've only seen one of them leave her eggs once, and the other only three times, but never very long at all!


And it turns out a bantam can fit 13 eggs underneath her quite well! The first one only has 6, so I'm thinking about going out and switching a few to make it even. But then with one sitting on 13, I don't want her to freak out if she realizes she is missing eggs....

she wont

 

[melina90]

she wont

Agreed. Broodies are smart, but they can't count.

I can't stop watching my broodies out with their little peeps these days. Love how they're showing them food and water, and learning them stuff like scratching the ground and dustbathing... Here's my silkie showing her 2-week-old something interesting in the mud outside:

I'm fascinated by how his feathers are patterned! So excited to see how they turn out once he's fully grown!

 

[el pollo rey]

Agreed. Broodies are smart, but they can't count. I can't stop watching my broodies out with their little peeps these days. Love how they're showing them food and water, and learning them stuff like scratching the ground and dustbathing... Here's my silkie showing her 2-week-old something interesting in the mud outside: I'm fascinated by how his feathers are patterned! So excited to see how they turn out once he's fully grown!

lol I know they are so dedicated , I put my broody sikies clutch in lock down last night after taking care of crash,, she had five that were due to hatch Tuesday but one of the kids collected her eggs Friday when she was down for food they were alive when candled after a 16 hour cool down so we gave here a few new ones and put hers in the bator to warm up so last nigt I candled the eggs in the hova and culled the iffys and did the egg shuffle to lock her eggs down to try and save her lil brood she was working so hard to hatch fingers crossed

 

[casportpony]

Here is one of my broody hens, she's a Modern Game Bantam, lol.

 

[el pollo rey]

Here is one of my broody hens, she's a Modern Game Bantam, lol.

That's cool just let them ducks take mom for a swim lol

 

[melina90]

lol I know they are so dedicated , I put my broody sikies clutch in lock down last night after taking care of crash,, she had five that were due to hatch Tuesday but one of the kids collected her eggs Friday when she was down for food they were alive when candled after a 16 hour cool down so we gave here a few new ones and put hers in the bator to warm up so last nigt I candled the eggs in the hova and culled the iffys and did the egg shuffle to lock her eggs down to try and save her lil brood she was working so hard to hatch fingers crossed

they'll be fine! I tried to split up my two broodies and gave them a clutch of eggs each. Turns out the bantam cochin didn't want to brood alone so next morning I found her eggs stone cold (we have almost freezing temps at night here). Candled and saw no movement, but threw them in the bator and a couple of hours later they were wiggling around in there! i think this happened on day 14-16 or so. I'm pretty sure your clutch of eggs will be fine Just be thankful you didnt discover it when cracking an egg into the frying pan!

 

[melina90]

Here is one of my broody hens, she's a Modern Game Bantam, lol.

Gorgeous! I have been told game birds are the best broodies. What a bunch she has to brood!