Broody Hen Thread!

[Alaskan]

oh wow! great excitement! Bet it is hard for you to sleep tonight!

 

[sonderah]

My broody turkey brought her babies out yesterday for the 1st time at 4 days old. They are so funny cause she is HUGE compared to them. At lockup time only 1 had managed to figure out how to get inside with mom. The cage is only about a foot off the ground, but has a long ramp to make it easier. Lol So I spent my evening in my hands and knees in the rain chasing a little chick and 2 poults all over the place. Finally got them all reunited. They were all fussing so much at each other and crying. It was so sad but cute at the same time.

 

[abserbean]

Ended up with seven out of nine, great job for a first time broody! I candled the two that didn't hatch, one was clear with debris, shell looked mottled. One was developed, but stopped, no peeping. I was tempted to put it back under her for a few more hours just in case, but it smelled bad, so pretty sure it is a no go. We have two BLRW chicks, two olive eggers (the two black chicks), and three easter eggers (the two silver and the yellow). My experience with a broody has been great, so glad we decided to try!

 

[fisherlady]

My broody turkey brought her babies out yesterday for the 1st time at 4 days old. They are so funny cause she is HUGE compared to them. At lockup time only 1 had managed to figure out how to get inside with mom. The cage is only about a foot off the ground, but has a long ramp to make it easier. Lol So I spent my evening in my hands and knees in the rain chasing a little chick and 2 poults all over the place. Finally got them all reunited. They were all fussing so much at each other and crying. It was so sad but cute at the same time.

I haven't brooded with a turkey hen yet, but it is probably in our future.... bed time is always the most stressful for us also, mama wants to go in and we end up chasing the chicks who haven't figured out the ramp.

Luckily that stage only seems to last a day or two. I keep swearing I'm gonna buy a butterfly net to catch the little buggers, but still haven't.

Ended up with seven out of nine, great job for a first time broody! I candled the two that didn't hatch, one was clear with debris, shell looked mottled. One was developed, but stopped, no peeping. I was tempted to put it back under her for a few more hours just in case, but it smelled bad, so pretty sure it is a no go. We have two BLRW chicks, two olive eggers (the two black chicks), and three easter eggers (the two silver and the yellow). My experience with a broody has been great, so glad we decided to try!

I'm glad it worked out so well for you, they certainly are adorable!

 

[Dianne88]

Wow...good luck...you may be surprised, mom may have a big brood tomorrow...bet she's surprised.
Lady of McCamley

My power came back on a few hours ago so I've been warming up the bator. I went out and took back the 13 egg I gave flash to babysit over night. She did her very best to keep them all warm for me. I candled them and a few have internally peeped and one externally! So excited, I will update as things progress.

 

[Caheen]

So, I went and checked on my broody's eggs, she's on day 8. It was partially cracked so I took it out to finish cracking it to check for development. There was nothing. Should I keep the other 2 eggs from that same hen with the broody if that one didn't have development or even look fertile?

 

[masschickvet]

I have a broody Easter Egger of all things. I threw her out morning and night diligently for a week (no roosters here) before I broke down and got 4 hopefully fertile eggs from a friend. They are "mixed bag birds" RIR with EE and goodness knows what but there is no such thing as an ugly chick (though my Naked Neck was pretty close), RIGHT??? I hope she sticks it out. 14 days to go!! I love how she has made herself into an extra fluffy "chicken pancake". When I lift the nest box door she growls/chortles and puffs up to twice the size. But she lets me get the non-marked eggs out from under her no problem, thank goodness. Such a sweet girl! Looking forward to tiny peeps.

 

[fisherlady]

My power came back on a few hours ago so I've been warming up the bator. I went out and took back the 13 egg I gave flash to babysit over night. She did her very best to keep them all warm for me. I candled them and a few have internally peeped and one externally! So excited, I will update as things progress.

I hope they did OK... fingers crossed for a good hatch!

So, I went and checked on my broody's eggs, she's on day 8. It was partially cracked so I took it out to finish cracking it to check for development. There was nothing. Should I keep the other 2 eggs from that same hen with the broody if that one didn't have development or even look fertile?

leave the others... there is no way to tell which are fertile or not, you can candle them by day 10 and be pretty sure one way or the other if they are developing... a bright flashlight should show if they are clear or dark. Clear from one end to the other means they never developed and you can pull them then.

I have a broody Easter Egger of all things. I threw her out morning and night diligently for a week (no roosters here) before I broke down and got 4 hopefully fertile eggs from a friend. They are "mixed bag birds" RIR with EE and goodness knows what but there is no such thing as an ugly chick (though my Naked Neck was pretty close), RIGHT??? I hope she sticks it out. 14 days to go!! I love how she has made herself into an extra fluffy "chicken pancake". When I lift the nest box door she growls/chortles and puffs up to twice the size. But she lets me get the non-marked eggs out from under her no problem, thank goodness. Such a sweet girl! Looking forward to tiny peeps.

Good luck! Broodies are adorable, fun and frustrating.... but once you see a good broody mama with her chicks it will never be the same!

 

[PortlandHen]

Should I be concerned:

Our mama hen is so not gentle with the babies. She's digging around in the coop and just kicking the babies. She constantly pecks them in the head (even grabbed one and tossed out of the way of her food). The four bigger chicks mostly get out of the way, but the two little ones aren't fast enough. She's stepping on them nonstop.

Also, one of our little chicks has a poop caked butt. Been working on unclogging that. Ugh. It's tough. Poor little chick.

 

[PortlandHen]

Should I be concerned:

Our mama hen is so not gentle with the babies. She's digging around in the coop and just kicking the babies. She constantly pecks them in the head (even grabbed one and tossed out of the way of her food). The four bigger chicks mostly get out of the way, but the two little ones aren't fast enough. She's stepping on them nonstop.

Also, one of our little chicks has a poop caked butt. Been working on unclogging that. Ugh. It's tough. Poor little chick.

FYI: I separated them and put them in a brooder. I went out there and they were all shivering while she stood there. I just feel like it's the best decision. My heart's really broken for her (she's looking for them) and the chicks, but I think this will be best.