Broody Hen Thread!

[wewcz5]

My barred Rock is broody. She is in her second week. I haven't had the luxury of keeping a terribly close eye on her but I don't think she is eating properly. I changed her feed about a week ago from layer to non medicated grower. I have been keepin an eye for broody poop and haven't seen fresh poop everyday. Any suggestions on how I can help her?

 

[wewcz5]

Here is another picture so you can see how runny it is.

 

[kmollyhughes]

Broody poops are NASTY. Don't worry about it as long as she's eating and pooping. "Better out than in". I give mine water in their nest or close by and a hard boiled egg on top of their food daily. At least you found that runny poop in your run....my poor husband got sprayed down his hip/leg/boot one night moving a broody for me. I still die laughing thinking about him trying not to throw up. Oh, the things he deals with for me. You could even try some greens to up her fiber. I wouldn't worry though.

 

[Carolyn78]

I have a broody bantam frizzle that should be hatching her eggs soon (3 days), the temp here is just below freezing to a couple degrees above. Should I remove the babies as soon as they hatch and bring them inside or will she keep them warm enough?

 

[RTFchickens]

Carolyn, I'm not a pro at this broody thing at all, but I understand that a good mom will keep the chicks warm. I believe they actually do better with mom even in the cold temps. This is just from what I have read...
Good luck to you

 

[kmollyhughes]

I have a broody bantam frizzle that should be hatching her eggs soon (3 days), the temp here is just below freezing to a couple degrees above.  Should I remove the babies as soon as they hatch and bring them inside or will she keep them warm enough?

If you're worried you can pull mom and eggs/babies in to your garage. Dog crates are very handy. Then she can relax out of the elements. She should be fine, but if its really nasty a nice quiet place is nice while hatching. Garage/shops are good because anything warmer and you'll have to worry about acclimating babies to deal with the cold. In my experience, babies born in winter in the coop/garage grow and feather out fuller faster.

 

[zinkie]

So that's my biggest worry... what to do with my broody. I live in NH and it is cold here. I have a hen sitting on 10 eggs... first time mother- 3 days now (first time for me too). I have no separate place to give her some piece and quiet. Barn is too cold-not heated at all. Often 15 degrees. (coop has 2 lights that keep it 20 or above). I was thinking cellar but will that be too warm for her ???

I worry about her staying out there in the 9 x 12 coop with 9 other hens and a roo.

 

[fisherlady]

Last year our broody silkie hatched out 8 in January... average of 10 degree weather and she did fine. When the babies started not fitting under her we placed a light nearby that they could get under if needed but they never did.
This past December she hatched out 3, again it was 10-15 degrees most of the time, and often very much colder and she did fine.
We have a broody due to hatch 7 eggs Friday, she is a first timer, but should have no trouble covering them since she is a larger hen but we will watch.

Broody hens in winter don't have troubles as long as some basic needs are met....
.... we always make sure they have good, high protein food available near them (I will add rinsed canned or frozen corn when it is really cold for extra calories also)
.... make sure their water is always available, we may not heat the broody area directly but often keep a lamp or heated dog bowl in the vicinity to make sure the water never freezes
....make sure there are no drafts direct on her area
....I add extra hay/straw/wood shavings (whatever bedding you choose) so that it provides more insulation from the cold of walls or floors
.... she should do fine keeping the babies warm as long as she doesn't have too many to cover. Watch that in a week or two they aren't 'outgrowing' her capacity, if so, then you may need to add in a 'safety net' heat source nearby

I see our broody hens scratching around in the coop (ours has a sand floor) when it is 10 degrees, with a bunch of fluff balls in tow running around and having fun, they duck under her for a warm up once in a while, but it is amazing how active they are despite the cold.

 

[Hannahs Hollow]

I have 2 chicks. Josephina is 7 weeks old and Sophia is 3 weeks old. They are in 2 big wire dog crates placed open to each other now that the moms are moved out. Lack of space and cabin fever for the moms.

Recently we moved Sophia's mom back to the coop. Josephina's mom went out 4 weeks ago.

Crazy thing is Josephina has taken over mom duty! She even gives the little one food from her mouth or puts it on the ground and points it out. Sophia actually cuddles under her wing too! They could be warm near the heat lamp but Josie likes it cooler. Sophia comes to her for warmth. Josie has since moved them both closer to the lamp. My point it's, they are not so cold that they need each other for warmth. They don't interact like 2 chicks but rather mom and baby.

Maybe I have a great broody in the making with Josephina! Anyone else ever experience this?

 

[fisherlady]

I have 2 chicks. Josephina is 7 weeks old and Sophia is 3 weeks old. They are in 2 big wire dog crates placed open to each other now that the moms are moved out. Lack of space and cabin fever for the moms.

Recently we moved Sophia's mom back to the coop. Josephina's mom went out 4 weeks ago.

Crazy thing is Josephina has taken over mom duty! She even gives the little one food from her mouth or puts it on the ground and points it out. Sophia actually cuddles under her wing too! They could be warm near the heat lamp but Josie likes it cooler. Sophia comes to her for warmth. Josie has since moved them both closer to the lamp. My point it's, they are not so cold that they need each other for warmth. They don't interact like 2 chicks but rather mom and baby.

Maybe I have a great broody in the making with Josephina! Anyone else ever experience this?

That is pretty neat... I had a similar situation last year, but not nearly that extensive, when one broody adopted an 'abandoned' group of older chicks, the older chicks (about 3 weeks older than the others) definitely seemed to play 'big brothers/sisters' to the younger, and the groups stayed close ever since. Now these were outside in summer so we didn't get to watch like you have been able to.... I would love to see that! You need to snap some pictures for us!

And I wouldn't be a bit surprised to see Josephina go broody by 1 year at her rate!