Broody Hen Thread!

[Mrdiegs]

It is hormones in the hen, so they just sort of go broody, but some breeds tend to go more broody than others

Thanks.

 

[randerson846]

No problem

 

[PortlandHen]

Portland Hen: I'm loving your Newbie experience...and pretty much sure I'm going to be the same way here in 21+ days.

Just got word from the Breeder that my eggs will be shipped shortly! I'm so excited ...I feel like a kid at Christmas! We won't be getting the BLRW's --her girls aren't ready yet. But we both agreed we should get the Silkie going with something... Chances are she'll be broody again we feel.

Or maybe my BA will get a chance at being a mother....and maybe the BLRW eggs will be ready then...

Oh it's all so much fun. The unpredictability sometimes drives you nutty...but it all is good chickening...that's for sure.

Seriously! It's making me crazy (in a good way). Ha! It's hard to just trust your chicken… but they really do know what they're doing. I'll keep you up to date on more crazy broody hens w/chicks stories. Hee!

 

[PortlandHen]

Advice: So, I'm planning on keeping the babies/mama separate from the other 2 girls (our Plymouth Rock is friendly to us, but ALWAYS picks at things and I really have a feeling she'd nip at the babies nonstop). I think we'll section off a space in the run (so they can be outside) with food/water. My plan was to place her there during the day, whenever she wants to come out (she still hasn't tried to get up, but the chicks are just 24 hours old). We have hit the warmer part of Spring here in Portland, but there's always cold and rainy days thrown in there. Should I keep them indoors if it's super rainy and cold? We are forecast for rain soon, and I don't really know how it works with a hen raising chicks. I assume she'll keep them warm if it get's too cold? One more: she hasn't pooped since Saturday. Should I encourage her to get up and put her outside with the chicks? Is it too soon? Ha!

This is all so crazy and weird and I have so many questions that pop up in my head. So, thanks in advance to all you question answering pros!

 

[water2214]

I have an australorp who had gone broody and I'm contemplating on whether to let her hatch some eggs. She is very friendly, and wasn't vicious at us when we were trying to take some eggs from her, but I'm not certain if I should let her hatch some. I would really like that, it would be so cute to see her raise some cute chickens. I'm not certain where at all to even get the eggs, or if she is dedicated enough to actually hatch them. Anything would help a lot! I've never hatched any chickens, so I'm not certain where to start, and even how many I should get.
Thanks for clarifying any questions.

 

[NCChickchick]

Advice: So, I'm planning on keeping the babies/mama separate from the other 2 girls (our Plymouth Rock is friendly to us, but ALWAYS picks at things and I really have a feeling she'd nip at the babies nonstop). I think we'll section off a space in the run (so they can be outside) with food/water. My plan was to place her there during the day, whenever she wants to come out (she still hasn't tried to get up, but the chicks are just 24 hours old). We have hit the warmer part of Spring here in Portland, but there's always cold and rainy days thrown in there. Should I keep them indoors if it's super rainy and cold? We are forecast for rain soon, and I don't really know how it works with a hen raising chicks. I assume she'll keep them warm if it get's too cold? One more: she hasn't pooped since Saturday. Should I encourage her to get up and put her outside with the chicks? Is it too soon? Ha! 

This is all so crazy and weird and I have so many questions that pop up in my head. So, thanks in advance to all you question answering pros!

They will go out on their own.
My 2 mommies and babies (48 hours old) were on the floor of the run (under the mini coop where they hatched) when I got home from work today. One baby had made his way Outside the wire and everyone was agitated. I caught the little peep and put him back with his moms and the others. Then I gave them food and water down there and later put alll babies back in the coop and they all jumped into the nest. thank goodness as severe thunderstorms rolled through tonight.
It's hilarious as one mom seems to be the teaching mom and one is the protective mom. Once i put them all back in the nest she was Listening carefully to make sure no babies were outside....obviously she can't count!
This is a situation where "My Biddies Have 2 Mommies".
Fascinating. It would have made my human babies easier had we had 2 mommies. Just sayin' Haha

 

[fisherlady]

Advice: So, I'm planning on keeping the babies/mama separate from the other 2 girls (our Plymouth Rock is friendly to us, but ALWAYS picks at things and I really have a feeling she'd nip at the babies nonstop). I think we'll section off a space in the run (so they can be outside) with food/water. My plan was to place her there during the day, whenever she wants to come out (she still hasn't tried to get up, but the chicks are just 24 hours old). We have hit the warmer part of Spring here in Portland, but there's always cold and rainy days thrown in there. Should I keep them indoors if it's super rainy and cold? We are forecast for rain soon, and I don't really know how it works with a hen raising chicks. I assume she'll keep them warm if it get's too cold? One more: she hasn't pooped since Saturday. Should I encourage her to get up and put her outside with the chicks? Is it too soon? Ha!

This is all so crazy and weird and I have so many questions that pop up in my head. So, thanks in advance to all you question answering pros!

The easiest way to give them options is to let them be outside with food and water like you plan, but place a medium or large pet carrier or box of some type with bedding in the run with her so if the weather or wind bothers her she has the choice to duck inside to snuggle in for a break with the little ones. It doesn't have to be fancy, it just needs to be solid enough to not leak rain or blow away. Our broody hens have their little ones out in 20 degree weather if it isn't raining, snowing or real windy... they do love being able to have the little ones out scratching.

 

[fisherlady]

I have an australorp who had gone broody and I'm contemplating on whether to let her hatch some eggs. She is very friendly, and wasn't vicious at us when we were trying to take some eggs from her, but I'm not certain if I should let her hatch some. I would really like that, it would be so cute to see her raise some cute chickens. I'm not certain where at all to even get the eggs, or if she is dedicated enough to actually hatch them. Anything would help a lot! I've never hatched any chickens, so I'm not certain where to start, and even how many I should get.
Thanks for clarifying any questions.

There is no way to tell in advance if a hen is going to stay the full course for brooding, some do unexpectedly quit, but odds are in your favor if she has been setting for a week or so.
You can give her any type of egg you prefer.... is there a breed you like in particular? Or a mix you've been thinking about? Or just more hens similar to what you have? Or do you want eggs of a particular color? Now is the time to decide if there is something particular you want to add to your flock or egg basket and find a local source of fertile eggs if possible. If you aren't worried about any particular type or egg color then ask at the local feed store, Tractor Supply type store or local vet office if anyone knows any local folks with chickens and see if you can contact them for eggs.
Barnyard mixes can be some beautiful birds!
Your hen could probably cover 8-10 pretty easily... if she is a larger hen then maybe a couple more, but as a first time hatcher you don't want to overwhelm her.
If you get her eggs plan on placing them all at the same time to minimize complications associated with staggered hatches... yes, hens can hatch chicks over an extended period of time but it is simple to avoid that difficulty and it is her first time so no reason to complicate things.
Mark the eggs when you set them, you can number them if you want to be able to track them by candling or egg source etc, but even just an X or something on them so if other hens lay in her nest you will be able to differentiate between the hatching eggs and imposters...
Good luck!

 

[n3kms]

What would you folks who have Barred Rock chickens say the chances of one becoming broody are? I just have all Barred Rock chicks right now but if I wanted to raise more chicks without an incubator would there be a decent chance I could use one of them eventually or would it be better to have another breed for that purpose?

 

[Bogtown Chick]

Many hatchery stock birds are selected to remove broodiness. This thread https://www.backyardchickens.com/t/...ody-hen-hatch-a-long-and-informational-thread Post #2 has a listing of broody breeds. Partridge Rocks, Buff Orpingtons, Australorps, Silkies, etc are notoriously broody.