Broody Hen Thread!

[amynrichie]

Yes no sign of a chick under or around her

Did you lift her wings?

 

[soggy]

Did you lift her wings?

woo hop you a genius lol. Healthy cute little chick. I'm pretty new at this so not really sure about what to do so I'm hoping nature tAkes its course

 

[amynrichie]

woo hop you a genius lol. Healthy cute little chick. I'm pretty new at this so not really sure about what to do so I'm hoping nature tAkes its course

Awesome! I'm so glad you found the baby!

 

[sab]

A few ?s b4 the big hatch event.
1-do I keep momma & chicks separate from general population from the beginning or wait maybe a week?
2-if not separated, then how do I keep big birds from eating chick feed and chicks from eating big bird feed?
Right now, with 2 days to go, the momma & nest are separated by 5 ft tall chicken wire from the general population.
THANK YOU!

 

[Junibutt]

I think my chicks are popping today (Day 22) I saw another empty shell thrown out by the broody so there is more than one now.

But now its stinking pretty bad in there like methane gas or Sulfur dioxide. I hope a bad egg did not blow up. If it did for instance, what should I do, leave the broody alone still and have her do the cleaning job? or clean the eggs and set them and the broody & the chicks on a new nest?

Thanks for all your great input in advance.

 

[Lady of McCamley]

I think my chicks are popping today (Day 22) I saw another empty shell thrown out by the broody so there is more than one now.

But now its stinking pretty bad in there like methane gas or Sulfur dioxide. I hope a bad egg did not blow up. If it did for instance, what should I do, leave the broody alone still and have her do the cleaning job? or clean the eggs and set them and the broody & the chicks on a new nest?

Thanks for all your great input in advance.

Since you are on hatch day itself...and I personally have interrupted things such that I've gotten a "shrink wrapped" rescue prompted from my interrpution (pretty sure)....

I would try to interfere as little as possible unless you have to intervene.

The hen has probably cleaned up things amazingly well...if she is an unsure broody, you may have to help if you sense things are really going awry in stinking rotting mess.

Hopefully only a quick tidy up will be needed if she has fallen behind..and typically that's the most I've ever had to do...pull the rotten eggs, sodden bedding and lose shells away.

Otherwise, if its an all out rescue, you'll need to have a back up incubator to keep eggs protected and warm while you do a major clean up which may thoroughly disrupt all but the hatched and dry chicks.

Lady of McCamley

 

[Lady of McCamley]

A few ?s b4 the big hatch event.
1-do I keep momma & chicks separate from general population from the beginning or wait maybe a week?
2-if not separated, then how do I keep big birds from eating chick feed and chicks from eating big bird feed?
Right now, with 2 days to go, the momma & nest are separated by 5 ft tall chicken wire from the general population.
THANK YOU!

Answer to #1: Depends on your flock and your yard environment. Mixing can work if the other flock members are friendly, mom is confident, and chicks can stay safe. Otherwise, separation will be needed. How long depends on those factors listed.

Answer to #2: If you do mix, put everyone on flock raiser and supply oyster shell or calcite free feed. The older birds will do okay on the higher protein but will feed on the oyster shell or calcite as needed, the chicks will not mess with that. The chicks should not be on high calcium layer feed as that is too harsh on their kidneys until they come to laying age.

Lady of McCamley

 

[fisherlady]

I have been blessed with an abundance of broodies this year in particular.... have a couple of short videos of them in the coop run and out and about
My flock is mixed and our broodies are in with the flock usually within 3 days of hatch, so you will see a lot of youngsters mixed in.
I tried to share a bit of info in the videos, but if any questions feel free to ask.

 

[Junibutt]

Since you are on hatch day itself...and I personally have interrupted things such that I've gotten a "shrink wrapped" rescue prompted from my interrpution (pretty sure)....

I would try to interfere as little as possible unless you have to intervene.

The hen has probably cleaned up things amazingly well...if she is an unsure broody, you may have to help if you sense things are really going awry in stinking rotting mess.

Hopefully only a quick tidy up will be needed if she has fallen behind..and typically that's the most I've ever had to do...pull the rotten eggs, sodden bedding and lose shells away.

Otherwise, if its an all out rescue, you'll need to have a back up incubator to keep eggs protected and warm while you do a major clean up which may thoroughly disrupt all but the hatched and dry chicks.

Lady of McCamley

I tried but could not get her off the nest. It doesn't smell like Sulfur or Methane anymore, just a dead animal smell. I am leaving her alone for now but once she gets off the nest and the hatch is complete, shall I give the baby chicks a bath to prevent any infections or only treat if they become sick?

 

[sab]

Thanks so much Lady of McCamley & fisherlady! Great advice and the videos encouraging.