Broody Hen Thread!

[AlpineSpringsRanch]

I isolated my broodies in a separate pen for the same reason you guys mentioned. All the other hens would lay in the clutch and she had more eggs than she could sit on!

 

[ChickInDelight]

My silkies will lay in a broodie's nest. I just end up losing those eggs because I don't know which is which. I would be careful with that Araucana hatching with the flock. My bantams never have any issues, but the one time I let a cuckoo marans brood with the flock they had killed 4 of them by the time I discovered they had hatched

O dear! I hope the flock does not kill mine! If they will, I need to know so I never do this again. I ordered chicks, so my 'private quarters' are already booked. I am putting faith in the fact that my chickens have so much space that they won't be aggressive.

 

[chicksurreal]

Well, Nessie abandoned the rest of her eggs this morning and took the two little ones outside. I'm sure none of them were viable. So, Day 25 and she's done!

 

[chickbrad24]

Well, Nessie abandoned the rest of her eggs this morning and took the two little ones outside. I'm sure none of them were viable. So, Day 25 and she's done!

This picture is so amazing !!! Congratulations.

 

[DFWChickens]

Somehow I never get tired of baby chick pics

 

[chicksurreal]

This picture is so amazing !!! Congratulations.

Thanks! She's such a good mama! This is her first time and she's really doing well.

 

[holm25]

2 of my green eggs under the broody r hatching!!!

 

[chickbrad24]

2 of my green eggs under the broody r hatching!!!

Our chicks will have the same hatchday !!!

 

[holm25]

Our chicks will have the same hatchday !!!

Sweet!!

 

[PD-Riverman]

This is why I normally just put everything in the bator. So many things to worry about!!

Hatching Hens are No Problem and No worry for me. If I had enough of them going broody I would sell my Incubators. Last season I had 33 sets----some hens went broody 2/3 times during the season. Over 250 chicks hatched, I do not remember not one fertile egg that did not hatch, and every egg hatched usually in a 24/30 hr time period. No hen left any unhatched fertile egg(I do not candle their eggs for fertility till after they leave the nest).

Set your Hens just Like you would your Incubator----collect and set all fresh eggs under the broody at the same time, just like you would your incubator. DON'T add eggs or allow eggs to be added after the set day to your incubator or broody. This means for a broody----you either got to mark all the set eggs and remove any fresh layed eggs daily OR move your broody to a private place or fix her nest where no other hens can get into the nest.

Here is the way I look at it------we can go spend $100 + on a incubator and turner-----why not invest Less than that to make a broody pen---then when you get a broody---place her in the broody pen(properly)-----she will automatically turn the eggs, keep the temp and the humidity perfect through-out the whole 21 days----A Perfect incubator----not a worry in the world. Here is one of my broody pens----cost less than $100 to make----will house 4 broodies at the same time, but separately(has 4 sections)..