Broody Hen Thread!

[bobbieschicks]

We have a broody hen that we found setting on 4 eggs in the nest boxes.  Should we try to move her into a brooding box or just leave her be?  We have had issues in the past with chickens moved even very late at night refusing the eggs altogether after being moved, but we really don't want to loose any more hens to broodiness.  Currently we have 2 roosters, 11 laying age hens, 10 12 week old chicks, 3 9 week old chicks.  When the last chick was hatched we had 2 hens on 2 nests and only managed to hatch 1 chick.  During their nesting period we really saw a drop in egg production and we really don't want to go back there.  Advise us please!

Another option is to break her and let her go back to laying. I've recently broken my broody Bunny who was so determined last time that she sat for 46 days until I gave her chicks. We are maxed out with girls and need eggs too.

After her being broody for a week, I put her in a temporary cage I made and in two days she was ready to go back with everyone else. I think she will resume laying today. I just put my oldest and best broody in the cage two days ago and I think she will get out today. Depends on what she does when I take her out of it.

Bunny is happily free ranging again, I'm happy, and I'm sure they both will go broody another day and maybe that day I will let them stay broody, time will tell.

 

[bobbieschicks]

I'm still kinda worried about it... The hole is a bit bigger, but it still can't get out. It appears to have given up.

Sad as it is, that is the way they develop strength to live. Like a butterfly emerging from a cocoon, you will not truly be helping if you interfere.

Best to leave it alone under momma who will regulate temps and humidity and assist in the hatching if necessary. It can take a day or more for them to pip and zip out. They need every ounce of energy to work through the process and when they emerge will be stronger for it.

Hang in there, hope you have a good outcome.

 

[Shellz]

ChickSter, perhaps its just an individual broody kind of thing? Either you have some idea how your hen(s) will react or you don't. To take the risk or not? If you do take the risk, much can be learned, even if it doesn't have a happy ending. I've never been in this kind of situation, but if up to me, I would take the risk. Then at least I would know the probable outcome if this kind of situation happened again. Just my 2 cents!

 

[bobbieschicks]

Perhaps its just an individual broody kind of thing? Either you have some idea how your hen(s) will react or you don't. To take the risk or not? If you do take the risk, much can be learned, even if it doesn't have a happy ending. I've never been in this kind of situation, but if up to me, I would take the risk. Then at least I would know the probable outcome if this kind of situation happened again. Just my 2 cents!

My best broody Smokey hatched out four broods last year and each time she acted slightly different. One time she pecked at her chicks way more than I thought she should, especially pecking them away aggressively at three weeks old. The next time she took longer to let them go and was far more gentle with them. So what was the difference? I don't know.

You have things like the rest of the flock, weather, predators, and of course the broody herself to factor into the equation. So, it's pretty much a risk every time as to how things will go with a broody, that's why lots of people just use a bator.

After seeing a mom with her day old chicks, and the beauty that comes from her taking care of them and raising them without my help, I would choose a broody every time now. Of course I don't always let them stay broody, but that's due to resource limitations and not desire.

 

[Shellz]

My best broody Smokey hatched out four broods last year and each time she acted slightly different. One time she pecked at her chicks way more than I thought she should, especially pecking them away aggressively at three weeks old. The next time she took longer to let them go and was far more gentle with them. So what was the difference? I don't know.

You have things like the rest of the flock, weather, predators, and of course the broody herself to factor into the equation. So, it's pretty much a risk every time as to how things will go with a broody, that's why lots of people just use a bator.

After seeing a mom with her day old chicks, and the beauty that comes from her taking care of them and raising them without my help, I would choose a broody every time now. Of course I don't always let them stay broody, but that's due to resource limitations and not desire.

Wow, that's enlightening! Thanks for sharing your story. I'm always learning something new here.

 

[lilliesanchicks]

The thing I have noticed with mine usually it is the mix breeds that are the best broodies ,in fact I don't believe any of my pure breeds have ever gone broody.

The two girls who are broody now one is a silkie/ee and the other is a little game hen cross both great mothers from start to finish.

 

[Shellz]

Good to know, lillies. Also any pullets raised by a good broody, can be excellent candidates as well. Who'd a thunk my production red sisters would go broody? They were hatched & raised by my black star hen though!

 

[PineTopFarm]

Momma teaching the chicks how to roost.

 

[Shellz]

So cute!

 

[Emcrowston]

My chicks are just over a week old, and the weakest was dead in the box this morning when I went to let them out, and at lunchtime my face was dead, I think mom squashed it. Four left with her now, but they are the strongest so I am hoping they will be ok. Love reading and learning. I should be getting an incubator tomorrow so I am going to try that. I know that mom does best, but I will have to test it! Haha