Broody Hen Thread!

[PortlandHen]

Ok, I have 2 of my chicks hatched, and I have some newbie hen-raising-chicks questions:

- Should I just leave the shells under there?
- Is there an awesome hen-raising-chicks thread you guys like on BYC?
- I've mentioned in other posts that my girl seems to miss eggs when she gets up and adjust herself (as in, the egg is not under her belly and get's cold)… so I've been putting them back under her each time she lays back down after pooping. Should I just leave her alone while she tries to hatch the remaining 4 eggs? I can't help but worry, since she's been moving around a bunch since 2 of her chicks have hatched.

Also, Yay babies!!!

 

[fisherlady]

Ok, I have 2 of my chicks hatched, and I have some newbie hen-raising-chicks questions:

- Should I just leave the shells under there?
- Is there an awesome hen-raising-chicks thread you guys like on BYC?
- I've mentioned in other posts that my girl seems to miss eggs when she gets up and adjust herself (as in, the egg is not under her belly and get's cold)… so I've been putting them back under her each time she lays back down after pooping. Should I just leave her alone while she tries to hatch the remaining 4 eggs? I can't help but worry, since she's been moving around a bunch since 2 of her chicks have hatched.

Also, Yay babies!!!

The shells can be removed if it can be done without fuss or upset to the broody (late in the evening may help), many of ours are cooperative enough I can lift them a bit by sliding my hand under their chest and lifting while quickly pulling out the obviously empty egg shell pieces, you don't even have to lift her very far up, just so you can see a bit under her, I don't lift the hen completely. It should only take a couple of seconds to get them. If she gets fussy just let her back down and leave her alone.
Other than that just let her do her thing.

 

[PortlandHen]

Congrats! They are cuties!

Thank you. I believe those 2 are our Serama/Frizzle cochin mixes, though it is possible those eggs came from the other Serama hen they had. They weren't sure which hen laid the eggs, but their guess was the Cochin. Can't wait to see how they grow!

 

[PortlandHen]

The shells can be removed if it can be done without fuss or upset to the broody (late in the evening may help), many of ours are cooperative enough I can lift them a bit by sliding my hand under their chest and lifting while quickly pulling out the obviously empty egg shell pieces, you don't even have to lift her very far up, just so you can see a bit under her, I don't lift the hen completely. It should only take a couple of seconds to get them. If she gets fussy just let her back down and leave her alone.
Other than that just let her do her thing.

Thank you for the tips! I'll move those shells a little bit later in the evening. Luckily she is a sweet girl. She hasn't tried to bite me, just lots of puffing and growling.

 

[NCChickchick]

Thank you for the tips! I'll move those shells a little bit later in the evening. Luckily she is a sweet girl. She hasn't tried to bite me, just lots of puffing and growling. :cd

My Buff actually ate the egg shells after the babies hatched. She was munching down on one and I was terrified that she had eaten the baby too but nope, all accounted for. Chickens are so funny sometimes. I will trust her next time!

 

[PortlandHen]

My Buff actually ate the egg shells after the babies hatched. She was munching down on one and I was terrified that she had eaten the baby too but nope, all accounted for. Chickens are so funny sometimes. I will trust her next time!

Didn't think about that. We often give out girls crushed up boiled eggs (with the shells). She's been sitting there for so long, I bet there's some stuff she needs from the shells. I think I will move them, break them up, and place them in front of her. She's a dainty lady and only eats small food. Ha!

 

[PortlandHen]

Thank you. I believe those 2 are our Serama/Frizzle cochin mixes, though it is possible those eggs came from the other Serama hen they had. They weren't sure which hen laid the eggs, but their guess was the Cochin. Can't wait to see how they grow!

I was so wrong. Just checked on her and the tiniest little yellow chick popped out from under her. Two of those boogers under there. They are most definitely the seramas.... So tiny.

 

[Beldenfarm]

I think you've done about all you can do to break her broodiness...one trick I've used with success is to gently remove them from the nest and place them into the middle of the yard/pen and immediately feed them their absolute, to die for, treat. Keep doing that regularly about 3 times a day. They should view this as a gift from heaven treat experience, not punishment (positive reinforcement technique I learned with dog training and have applied to chickens with some success). Timing is essential...placed in yard equals heavenly reward. Place them in the same place each time. In a few days invariably I see them running to me for the treat as I step into that spot. Within a week, I see them lingering in that spot. It is positive reinforcement for getting off the nest, but it has to be a "to die for treat" not just regular food as they won't be interested and the timing as to be immediate...out in yard...immediate treat. (Dogs have a 3 second retention learning enforcement period...I suspicion birds have shorter.)

The other option is to place the chicks with her. Smaller than a grapefruit to me is big...as we see large grapefruits in the store...so I am going to assume you've got typical 4 week old Silkie chicks, which means still fairly small, and likely partially feathered. I would try it but stay close by and watch. Since you don't say where you are located, I can't recommend evening or day as I find the weather contributes to my fostering success. Warm weather I place at night. Cool weather I place during the day. Small babies under the brood lamp often are fearful of the big scary hen at first, and since they don't regulate their body temp well, they can undergo quite a bit of physical stress as they figure out she's okay to go to...I have had chicks succumb to the environment stresses after several days of being with an inviting hen in cool weather. (I pull them out dead from under her). I do better in warmer weather.

Good news is your chicks will have some feathering. You also can add a heat lamp in your coop if it is safe to do so and that allows the chicks to run to mom or stay by the lamp. (Be careful though, I've burned down a coop that way, and so have several of my friends...always when a chicken knocked it down into the straw.)

Watch and see if the broody clucks and invites them...since she is soooooo broody, chances are she will...but as your chicks are older and very skittish, chances are it will take them a few days to learn to graft to her, if they ever do....but she may be so warm and there may be enough natural imprinting instinct left for them to do so...however watch carefully and frequently...if you see them huddled in cold away from the hen, you know it isn't going well.

EDITED TO ADD: I would also provide vitamins/electrolytes in the water to help booster their immune systems for the shock of the change. With small chicks, I literally dropper load them then place them so that they are well hydrated before the stress of change. You might put the nummy Chick Saver in the water and let them tank up just before you place them.

Good luck.
Lady of McCamley

Thank you for the reply!! I am also a student so My mother is currently watching the chicks and hens for me while I am away, so hopefully when I come home in a week I will be able to try introducing if broody is still brooding which is very likely, it's worth a shot if it can be done! I am trying to instruct my mother what to do and she is scared they would get hurt... But with plenty of watch I'm sure we can avoid any harm! (Which is why I guess we need to wait for me to do it)
Thank you again!

 

[abserbean]

Love seeing the new babies! Today is day twenty for us, so exicted! I attempted to candle yesterday in the five mins she was off the nest, but it wasn't dark enough and the shells aren't white. I do think the BLRW egg I looked at looked like it's supposed to. The humidity is crazy high today thanks to coming rain, The temp is 82, humidity 79, hopefully that is good for a hatch! She has nine eggs total, we'll see what happens.

 

[ocap]

another success here because of the information on this thread !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
my silkie had a tangled mess with chick attached today and the day old australorp was saved.
Thanks to all who answer questions or write of unusual experiences.