Broody Hen Thread!

[DarynA146]

My broody silkie is in her nest on her eggs but i touched he and she didnt even move. She didnt make a sound or anything

 

[fisherlady]

That should work fine. Just check frequently that no chicks hopped out early and get stranded on the floor by themselves.
 


Ours usually don't go into a true lockdown till late on the day before hatch.  I have never seen any of ours get up during the hatching itself, once their is a pip ours are parked till they are all out and fluffed. .... but we always set a clutch all at one time, so the hens don't have to deal with staggered hatches.  The hen would have to behave different if the hatch was extended over multiple days.

Thanks Fisherlady. I set the eggs all the same day so they should hatch together. Today is Day 19, hoping to hear some peeping by tomorrow. The nest box is 2 ft off the ground, once the chicks dry, will they follow mom when she leaves the nest? I am going to set up a small, shallow box with hay in the corner for her to sleep in with the chicks. Will that work?

 

[fisherlady]

Sorry my last reply got out of order. Trying to answer on my phone.

 

[chickenlickin8]

Sorry my last reply got out of order. Trying to answer on my phone.

No problem! Thank you! I'm planning on checking on them frequently like a nervous mother should...lol

 

[abserbean]

Before I gave her eggs, my broody was performing perfectly. Sitting all day, but getting off once to eat/drink/relieve herself and dustbathe, than right back to the nest. Since I gave her eggs on Wednesday, I don't think she has left the nest.She may have snuck out yesterday when I wasn't looking, but if she did it was very quick, and I know she hasn't been out today. How long should I give her before taking her out to eat, etc? I'm trying to leave her alone to figure it out for herself, but don't want her to get sick. Thanks!

 

[chickenlickin8]

My broody silkie is in her nest on her eggs but i touched he and she didnt even move. She didnt make a sound or anything

Hi Daryn, my broody will sit very still as well but make sure she is leaving the nest to eat and drink daily so she doesn't become weak. My broody leaves the nest at least once a day.

 

[sonderah]

Just gave my 1st broody Silkie some of her own eggs that were in the bator and are already on day 14. Snuck em in while she was out eating, and she seemed very happy!! She'd been sitting on plastic Easter eggs for 3 days. Lol

 

[Morrigan]

New chicken owner here and its day 21 for my broody hen. My first broody and I think I'm more nervous than she is. She's only sitting on 4 eggs, and my rooster's yet to achieve a 100% fertility rate, so I'm trying not to get my hopes up.

But, when I checked on her this morning, I did see her reach under her and come up with a small piece of egg shell.

Any more experienced chicken people know when a broody is likely to show you her chicks or at what point you should check under her?

I've been enjoying this thread as a lurker, so I thought it was time to show myself.

 

[fisherlady]

New chicken owner here and its day 21 for my broody hen.  My first broody and I think I'm more nervous than she is.  She's only sitting on 4 eggs, and my rooster's yet to achieve a 100% fertility rate, so I'm trying not to get my hopes up.

But, when I checked on her this morning, I did see her reach under her and come up with a small piece of egg shell.

Any more experienced chicken people know when a broody is likely to show you her chicks or at what point you should check under her?  

I've been enjoying this thread as a lurker, so I thought it was time to show myself. 

The chicks start showing themselves regularly after 24 hours. Before that it is infrequent. After 48 to 72 hours they get to be busy little bees.
After 12 hours and again at 24 hours I usually check for shell pieces to remove them. But that is just a quick lift with one hand and grab with the other, I don't mess with the babies yet.

 

[Alwayswantchics]

My blrw is sitting on about 9eggs. She gets off to eat, drink, stretch. But the eggs get pretty cool before she goes back. She's been sitting for about 5 days. She is my first broody that I am letting hatch. Really not sure what to do.