Broody Hen Thread!

[16 paws]

One of my hens won't walk why

Could you please give more details about the bird? Is she sitting on some eggs or does she look sick?
Marie

 

[christine9]

I'm so excited for my broody. She just hatched out a third baby and she is doing great with them.

ETA: what am I looking for as signs of her getting ready to go back to regular business as usual. And do you integrate back as if she was a new bird? She was the lowest in the pecking order before now, so I'm guessing so.

 

[aart]

I'm so excited for my broody. She just hatched out a third baby and she is doing great with them.

ETA: what am I looking for as signs of her getting ready to go back to regular business as usual. And do you integrate back as if she was a new bird? She was the lowest in the pecking order before now, so I'm guessing so.

Congrats!!
Is mama and chicks within sight but behind wire of the main flock?
You can do that for a week then take down the wire, she should protect them.

 

[christine9]

Congrats!!
Is mama and chicks within sight but behind wire of the main flock?
You can do that for a week then take down the wire, she should protect them.

They are not within sight. I can open the door and cover the opening with wire for a few weeks or however long. When's a good time to reintroduce?

 

[phryan]

Started an experiment. Lifted up one of the roll-out trays so that it was level, filled with shaving and a few eggs. Hoping one of the girls decides to cooperate.

 

[aart]

Quote: More sage advice will probably be forthcoming, but I've always read that after a few days to a week of separation by wire, when the chicks have their feet under them and mama has stocked up on chow let them mingle with the flock and start the integration.

I waited 2 weeks this winter because it was frigid cold and when I took the wire down mama got into some nasty pecking order fights, so keep an eye on them.
The chicks were never attacked and they had a closed nest box to retreat to.

 

[christine9]

More sage advice will probably be forthcoming, but I've always read that after a few days to a week of separation by wire, when the chicks have their feet under them and mama has stocked up on chow let them mingle with the flock and start the integration.

I waited 2 weeks this winter because it was frigid cold and when I took the wire down mama got into some nasty pecking order fights, so keep an eye on them.
The chicks were never attacked and they had a closed nest box to retreat to.

Thanks! I appreciate all of your advice over the last week or so. I'm nervous about the pecking order fights leaving chicks unattended. I think when she looks ready to mingle, I'll put the wire up and give her a week like that. If the chicks are still very young, I may just move them to a grow out area and integrate mama alone. I guess I'll feel it out. Thanks again!

 

[aart]

Quote: The chicks were never the target of attack, a few mild pecks here and there but nothing serious, it was mama's pecking order issues(she used to be pretty low, now no one really messes with her) that caused the fights and once I broke them up they didn't happen again after the first 2 days that I saw. But she was in sight of the flock the whole time she was setting. I wanted mama to integrate the chicks for me, that's the beauty of a broody IMO.
You can read my Winter Broody Story and see my setup here.

 

[Cyrus83]

even if she was at the bottom of the pecking order before hand, she has new reason to not back down now. if she's a good mom she'll hold her own.

 

[chickbrad24]

Right now I have 3 broody Buff Orpingtons . Not fun that they are hogging 3 out of my 6 nest boxes, but it will be fun having baby chicks running around. With these 3 broodies I will not count my chicks before they hatch.