Broody Hen Thread!

[Angie16hearts]

A couple of pictures from the coop today...we have 3 hens with week old chicks. in our coop they normally get a few days of privacy and then are able to rejoin coop life with a broody area to retreat to when they want quiet time. Our hens tend to share chicks and it is common to see one broody with all of the chicks while the other broody is dusting or eating at the adult feeders.

One of our senior roosters and oldest hens (the brown one) with one of the broody hens, Bess. You can see the chicks in front of Bess.

One of our little mixes

Grayson standing watch while Janeway takes a break with the little ones.

Grayson watching over the next generation.

Do you normally let your broodys stay with tge flock. I built a broody coop however she's due to hatch in next 2-4 days. I was planning on moving her once 1-2 hatch. What are your thoughts? I found a new home for my 3 RIR. So we have 6 hens and 1 Roo in coop. Not including my broody pepper.

Every one has such different opinions. This is my first broody. So I'm trying to gather other peoples experiences.


Thank you! Chicks are adorable !!!! Can't wait tell mine start to hatch!!! Hope I have a good amount make it. She's on 10 I don't believe 2-3 made it but she hasn't pushed them out of nest. It doesn't stink so I'm not to worried.

She is divided, with access to the run. She's small only one of my other hens can fit through the area I have for her to get out.

 

[mymilliefleur]

I can not answer the question----if the rooster will protect her, But I can tell you this-----she will not hatch all the eggs and leave her nest----in the 8/10 hours you are at work. Just for Info------"""""I"""" would NOT start pulling out chicks to hold them or lift her while the other eggs are hatching. When you hear or see the first Peep----just let her do Her job without anyone disturbing her. Disturbing her can cause her to get angry---she could stomp and bust eggs that are about to hatch Plus in """"MY"" opinion lifting her during this time causes moisture to escape----the escaped moisture might be needed to hatch the last few eggs. Good Luck!

I agree.

 

[Lady of McCamley]

Thank you ! I have another question for you two or any one else who has a opinion. If I happen to be at work while she starts to hatch. Will my Roo help protect her? Or will she do a fine job herself? She is top hen!! And I removed 3 RIR so I only have 6 other hens in a pretty big a frame coop. Plus my Roo.

I will be moving her as stated in a earlier post.

This may sound stupid, do the bigger eggs usually hatch first vs smaller eggs I have under her?

I did divide the coop up for her and all the girls but one is staying on the side she's not. She has small access to the run. She's a small hen. Fluffy the hen who does roam her side once in awhile is even smaller then her. The others can't fit through the area I have given pepper to enter the run.

Let her do her job...if the other hens haven't been bothering her on the nest, they very likely won't bother her while she is hatching as hens become doubly protective when they hear peeps coming forth.

Eggs hatch at their development rate which is dependent on temperature more than size...those that ended up more centrally heat located tend to develop a bit faster and hatch earlier; those that might have had a day or two on the fringe can develop more slowly and hatch a little later. Anyway, that's been my experience.

As to differing opinions...it is more of differing flock conditions. Know your flock conditions. Some flocks do communal brooding very well. Others do not. It all depends on the breeds, individal temperaments, environment, coop area, weather conditions and honestly, at times, just plain luck. And flock dynamics can change with each addition to the flock, so it is wise to reassess periodically. If you want to try something, try it. But watch to see if it is working and have a plan B.

Some things are "typically" foreseeable due to the nature of birds. There is a pecking order in all flocks. Birds compete for space and food. Big birds tend to get that space first. How much that is an issue is totally dependent on the factors listed above....And chicks tend to do stupid things because they don't know better.

LofMc

 

[Angie16hearts]

I agree.

Thank you! I' already told the family I'll take care of it and they can't go near her intel she's done. Since I have little ones

. It's been 50-60 degrees and humidity was 97% this morning and is at 46% now I am leaving her alone I only stick food in front of her and pet her back she's fairly suite has not tried to hurt me. However I'm the only one that feeds them. I'm definitely leaving her alone intel 1-2 are hatched and dry. Then broody coop.

 

[Angie16hearts]

Let her do her job...if the other hens haven't been bothering her on the nest, they very likely won't bother her while she is hatching as hens become doubly protective when they hear peeps coming forth.

Eggs hatch at their development rate which is dependent on temperature more than size...those that ended up more centrally heat located tend to develop a bit faster and hatch earlier; those that might have had a day or two on the fringe can develop more slowly and hatch a little later. Anyway, that's been my experience.

As to differing opinions...it is more of differing flock conditions. Know your flock conditions. Some flocks do communal brooding very well. Others do not. It all depends on the breeds, individal temperaments, environment, coop area, weather conditions and honestly, at times, just plain luck. And flock dynamics can change with each addition to the flock, so it is wise to reassess periodically.  If you want to try something, try it. But watch to see if it is working and have a plan B.

Some things are "typically" foreseeable due to the nature of birds. There is a pecking order in all flocks. Birds compete for space and food. Big birds tend to get that space first. How much that is an issue is totally dependent on the factors listed above....And chicks tend to do stupid things because they don't know better.

LofMc

Thank you! I'll post pics unless we have a problem before. Crossing my fingers! At least you all have taught me enough I'll be prepared next time. I really appreciate it!

 

[fisherlady]

Do you normally let your broodys stay with tge flock. I built a broody coop however she's due to hatch in next 2-4 days. I was planning on moving her once 1-2 hatch. What are your thoughts? I found a new home for my 3 RIR. So we have 6 hens and 1 Roo in coop. Not including my broody pepper.

Every one has such different opinions. This is my first broody. So I'm trying to gather other peoples experiences.


Thank you! Chicks are adorable !!!! Can't wait tell mine start to hatch!!! Hope I have a good amount make it. She's on 10 I don't believe 2-3 made it but she hasn't pushed them out of nest. It doesn't stink so I'm not to worried.

She is divided, with access to the run. She's small only one of my other hens can fit through the area I have for her to get out.

As to differing opinions...it is more of differing flock conditions. Know your flock conditions. Some flocks do communal brooding very well. Others do not. It all depends on the breeds, individal temperaments, environment, coop area, weather conditions and honestly, at times, just plain luck. And flock dynamics can change with each addition to the flock, so it is wise to reassess periodically. If you want to try something, try it. But watch to see if it is working and have a plan B.

Some things are "typically" foreseeable due to the nature of birds. There is a pecking order in all flocks. Birds compete for space and food. Big birds tend to get that space first. How much that is an issue is totally dependent on the factors listed above....And chicks tend to do stupid things because they don't know better.

LofMc

Angie16Hearts....
Lady of McCamley has actually answered your question quite well. I have a flock which happens to be very broody and chick friendly, but that has happened over a number of years of making sure the birds I keep are good with the little ones and even the broodies and other flock members aging and learning with each new hatch. In my flock I prefer to allow them to brood and rear within the flock if the hen is able to do so effectively. Some hens are able to do it without any trouble, others may get picked on or pushed out of an egg box by a pushier flock member. Usually I am pretty good at knowing which hens will fall into which category just by observing them as they have grown up within the flock, I then watch very closely when they first start showing signs of being broody and see how they handle flock interactions when they have broody hormones backing them up. If I have any doubt about the broody I give her a more private set up for her brooding (still within the coop, just in a protected area)
At hatch time I prefer to give the broody and her little ones a few days of privacy so the little ones can get used to the mama's vocal tones/commands. I do have a couple of hens who have hatched and reared without any separation time, but they are the exceptional hen who are experienced broodies and high in the coop pecking order. For any first timers I just give them a small area within the coop for a few days and then open it up to allow more integration. This is easier in a flock with small numbers and/or a lot of broody experience.

So as LofMc said, it depends on individual flock dynamics.... if you are just starting your experience with broodies then it would be prudent to err on the side of caution and be prepared to brood them in a separate area. If you want to allow them to remain in the flock you can provide a temporary fence for a few days and then open it up, but only do so when you are there to observe and watch for any source of trouble.
Every flock is different, so keep an open mind and a watchful eye and see what works best for the birds you have... it won't take you long to figure out the balance for your broodies and babies.

 

[PD-Riverman]

I only stick food in front of her and pet her back she's fairly suite has not tried to hurt me. However I'm the only one that feeds them. I'm definitely leaving her alone intel 1-2 are hatched and dry. Then broody coop.

She is your chicken and you can raise her any way you want. Me Personally---I would never feed her in the nest especially the last 3 days. Also I would not move her now until she hatched all the eggs. I would fix her nest where she is separated from the rest. If you have her in a nesting box that you can pick the nest up with her in it and move her without her getting off the eggs----you would probably be OK. I feel doing this after dark is best. Good Luck!

 

[Angie16hearts]

Yes, LofMc has walked me through this. She is very knowledgable ! I appreciate her along with others help. I won't be so annoying next time.

I am very glad to hear both sides. Take a bit of all your information and figure out what works best for our flock. Like both you stated. I'm glad I got my reds a new home. It's much quieter!!!

Time for the count down

what day do they the eggs typically chirp?

I'm grateful pepper is top hen. I feel she will be broody on and off forever.
Angie16Hearts....
Lady of McCamley has actually answered your question quite well.  I have a flock which happens to be very broody and chick friendly, but that has happened over a number of years of making sure the birds I keep are good with the little ones and even the broodies and other flock members aging and learning with each new hatch.  In my flock I prefer to allow them to brood and rear within the flock if the hen is able to do so effectively.  Some hens are able to do it without any trouble, others may get picked on or pushed out of an egg box by a pushier flock member.  Usually I am pretty good at knowing which hens will fall into which category just by observing them as they have grown up within the flock, I then watch very closely when they first start showing signs of being broody and see how they handle flock interactions when they have broody hormones backing them up.  If I have any doubt about the broody I give her a more private set up for her brooding (still within the coop, just in a protected area)
 At hatch time I prefer to give the broody and her little ones a few days of privacy so the little ones can get used to the mama's vocal tones/commands.  I do have a couple of hens who have hatched and reared without any separation time, but they are the exceptional hen who are experienced broodies and high in the coop pecking order.  For any first timers I just give them a small area within the coop for a few days and then open it up to allow more integration.  This is easier in a flock with small numbers and/or a lot of broody experience.

So as LofMc said, it depends on individual flock dynamics.... if you are just starting your experience with broodies then it would be prudent to err on the side of caution and be prepared to brood them in a separate area.  If you want to allow them to remain in the flock you can provide a temporary fence for a few days and then open it up, but only do so when you are there to observe and watch for any source of trouble.
 Every flock is different, so keep an open mind and a watchful eye and see what works best for the birds you have... it won't take you long to figure out the balance for your broodies and babies.

 

[Angie16hearts]

Oops, not sure how that happened.

 

[Lady of McCamley]

Time for the count down what day do they the eggs typically chirp?

I don't hear them chirp until day 20....typically the day before somebody pops out....and I think sometimes maybe 2 days before (????)...definitely at most no more than 2 days, typically the day before...I know when I hear peeping I am within 24 hours of somebody entering into the world.

I stand by my broody hutch which has a peep hole (no pun intended...but yes it works as a hole to check on the peeps)....and listen without disturbing the hen or chicks. If you disturb the hen, or pick up the egg, the chick will startle and hold very still. I've read that's a natural reaction of the chick when disturbed, probably hoping a predator won't eat it.

You are close
LofMc

BTW: We are happy to help and you are NOT annoying...so happy another BYC member is enjoying the miracle of natural brooding