Broody Hen Thread!

[Angie16hearts]

Last year, I had chicks to hatch on day 25 so it is still possible.  Give her one more night.

Ok, cool I was very careful but she was not ! No chirps but she seems like it's going to hatch. She will not get off it ! I was to worried leaving her in coop with the 9 chicks. Time will tell, it's good to hear it may have a chance thank you

 

[JadedPhoenix]

I should add, my hatch wasn't under a broody and I lost power on day 18 for FOUR DAYS!!! So getting those chicks to hatch on day 25 was a miracle. Best of luck for the new momma.

 

[Angie16hearts]

X2. Ok, 3 of you made me feel better. I'll feel horrible if it was the move. I'll never know...

however all the others are darling! The one who hatched today out of a blue egg is so cute! I'm worried about what little chicken wire I have on broody coop. So I took some 4x4 and stacked on the outside of coop. In hopes that if one does get out it doesn't get far.

How many days should I give her before I let her and babies out? Should I keep my big girls in coop and bantams in there coop. Or do I let them mingle?

 x3

@Angie16hearts

90% hatch rate is awesome...hopefully the last egg will hatch. My personal experience is that if it hasn't hatched within 48 hours of the first, then it won't....but definitely wait it out until the hen absolutely gives up on it, which she will do in another day or so.

Congratulations on your cuties...I love my barnyard mixes. They are pretty, sweet, and lay great...who cares if they are a Heinz 57 if they fulfill what you want...that's actually how new breeds start if you keep the flock contained.

LofMc 

 

[Angie16hearts]

My broody had a heart attack today. Somehow the door to her coop came open. She was running the yard freaking out screaming. Go out and she runs like crazy up to me, I take her back to the coop and a fellow hen has stolen her nest. I get that hen off and she makes it all homey again and plops back down. Poor girl.

I'm sorry!

 

[Angie16hearts]

Rarely, BUT keep in mind I set ALL my Broody hens with Fresh eggs---never allow one to set on eggs that I do not put under them. Then in about 2 days I move the broody--nest and all to a hatching pen. I feed and water her But not close to her nest---she has to get off the nest to eat and drink and do her business. I do Not Bother her at all---I do not look under her---I do Nothing at all till she comes off her nest with her chicks----then I clean up her nest and add fresh hay if needed. I had 33 broody hens that I set last season, had some more broody ones that I broke their broodiness. These broody hens(most were Game) hatched about 250 chicks.

That's a lot of broody hens and a lot of chicks! Do you use then for meat or sell them ? Sounds like a lot of work! I've been worried about one or nervous.

 

[happy-bird]

After lots of snow and bad weather for the past few weeks, it was finally sunny and in the 50's today. My two broody Silkies went outside, without needing encouragement, to drink and scratch around a little. I was so pleased! Then the most ridiculous thing happened...they got into an all out, slappy girl fight. My grumpy, formerly sweet little ladies were hopping up and down and smacking each other with their wings. It was one of the most ridiculous things I have ever seen. I broke it up quickly (very quickly, considering how hard I was laughing), they harrumphed at each other, and went their separate ways. For the rest of the day I kept an eye on them, but there were no more issues. I cannot wait until my sweethearts are back to normal. One is all spacey, singing and humming to herself all the time, but at least she is cheerful, if not her usual self. The other is acting skittish, when normally she is very social and lovey with me. It's like little, fluffy aliens have taken over my girls.

 

[antony25]

Hi any one know where I can buy broody hen plz let me know

 

[PD-Riverman]

That's a lot of broody hens and a lot of chicks! Do you use then for meat or sell them ? Sounds like a lot of work! I've been worried about one or nervous.

Its been Many years since I have eat one of my chickens---do not have anything against it. Its just easier for me to sell a hen for $10 to $20 then Go buy a $6 one from the grocery store. The 250 chicks sounds like alot but if you missed it---I have hatched around 2200 in the incubators in the last few months since I started Playing with "This" hatching deal. I sell most of them. I got chicks in the incubator right now with customers waiting to see what hatches---hoping to get their order filled.

I like the Broody Hens because I do not have to Plug them in, turn the eggs or brood the chicks. I call them Solar Powered incubators/hatchers/brooders----LOL.

 

[PD-Riverman]

Hi any one know where I can buy broody hen plz let me know

Hey Anthony! Welcome. Your Location would Help alot, plus if you bought a Broody hen from someone and moved her to your location-----good chance she would stop being broody---this time.

 

[PD-Riverman]

I'm wishing you luck!

let us know this evening. I'm going to move her to the broody coop tonight.

I just took them out---175 hatched, but I put the unhatched ones back in for a little while. I had 3 different problems this set---but I got it under control. I am happy with 175 out of 185 eggs even if no more hatch.