Broody Hen Thread!

[kmollyhughes]

Last check I had 5 chicks and one pipping, will check back later to see if I can get a pic without disturbing Mumma Hen too much.

Hubby was just asking how long from when chicks hatch does a broody hen start laying again and also how long do they need their mother for?

Thanks

The mother will usually stay with the babies for 6-10 weeks. Depends on the mother. Usually around six weeks. You'll see her slowly pulling away during the day but she'll sleep with them for a while. Then you'll go out one night and they'll be on their own. Mothers know when it's time. Hens will usually start laying sound 8 weeks after hatching.

 

[PD-Riverman]

I think this has a lot of factors that go into it. My hen hatched 3 chicks and was off her nest, off and on, trying to take the 3 chicks to explore, when her egg was peeping and I thought there was no way it would ever hatch but I let her set on it overnight and in the morning she had a healthy chick. This was during the summer in the south and I do not think if it was during cold temps it would have survived. I did not have an incubator to put the egg in so I hoped that it would hatch but really was very surprised to see a chick in the morning.

It does have alot of "factors" that go with setting a broody. I Never have a hen that gets on and off the nest----trying to show the chicks were food is and trying to continue hatching eggs--"I" feel a hen is probably stressing trying to shuffle this. That is why I set my hens with with fresh layed eggs-------all that are good will hatch around the same time----she then can leave the nest and not worry about trying to return to finish hatching other eggs.

Thanks Rhandi and PD...My daughter checked in on her a few times today. She hasnt left the nest that we can tell. 2 chicks are still under her. Dont know if there is a 3rd at this point. Do we check on the egg at some point or just wait until she decides she is done? Today is day 21. Thanks again for the help!!

"I" would Not touch her being today is 21. She will come off the nest when she is ready! GOOD LUCK!!

 

[cafrhe]

We took the egg today and water candled it. It did not move at all. Opened up the airsac area and confirmed that the chick was not alive. It does look like the chick was mal-positioned. I could not see the beak or eye, maybe a hock...just not sure. Not positive what was facing the air sac. We didnt unpeel the egg entirely. Here is a pic of the egg:
:

 

[ChickyChickens]

We took the egg today and water candled it. It did not move at all. Opened up the airsac area and confirmed that the chick was not alive. It does look like the chick was mal-positioned. I could not see the beak or eye, maybe a hock...just not sure. Not positive what was facing the air sac. We didnt unpeel the egg entirely. Here is a pic of the egg:
:

awww the poor little guy!!!

 

[cafrhe]

Yeah, I was sad. Was hoping he/she was all right. We have 2 girl chicks and now hope mama will start eating again. I have been worried about her. She didnt seem to eat much and never touched any of the treats I left in with her.

My daughter did notice that the chick looked somewhat shrink wrapped..The membrane was laying against the chick when opened the egg. There was no sign that the chick has pipped at all.

 

[ChickyChickens]

Yeah, I was sad. Was hoping he/she was all right. We have 2 girl chicks and now hope mama will start eating again. I have been worried about her. She didnt seem to eat much and never touched any of the treats I left in with her.

My daughter did notice that the chick looked somewhat shrink wrapped..The membrane was laying against the chick when opened the egg. There was no sign that the chick has pipped at all.

Sorry

 

[Angie16hearts]

I've been off and in this thread do to my OEG she is a mix Maybe welsummer not sure. She laid 8 eggs and tried to go broody. I let her go back n forth for 4 days or more. She wanted to play to much so I pulled her clutch. I didn't want the eggs going bad due to the temp and others laying around her. It's been 10 weeks now and nothing! I checked for mites. Nothing! Nice clean coop everyone else is laying still. Good diet. Im baffled, any thoughts?

 

[earlyredrooster]

Broody hatched seven of eight eggs despite the cold. All are doing good in brooding crate.

 

[Angie16hearts]

I've been off and in this thread do to my OEG she is a mix Maybe welsummer not sure. She laid 8 eggs and tried to go broody. I let her go back n forth for 4 days or more. She wanted to play to much so I pulled her clutch. I didn't want the eggs going bad due to the temp and others laying around her. It's been 10 weeks now and nothing! I checked for mites. Nothing! Nice clean coop everyone else is laying still. Good diet. Im baffled, any thoughts?

Any thoughts? I felt her pelvic bones and it's almost like they closed back up. She's very small already but close to 40 weeks. Only one finger fit between bones. No more squatting. Nothing! What could it be?

 

[calichicken]

unfortunately can't help but giving this a bump