Broody Hen Thread!

[StarMeKritten]

Here's a photo of one of my broody hens and her 2 week old chicks. Mom is an unknown mixed breed. She hatched 5 blr wyandotte chicks and 1 easter egger.

 

[Henerz101]

Finally got a picture of her, got 10 blue eggs under her, don't know what breeds yet as I go them given and 1 golden laced polish

 

[COChix]

Hi gang,

So what's is everyone's experience in introducing chicks to a broody hen, specifically has anyone had luck introducing week old chicks to a broody? I am hoping that my Dark Cornish is finally broody again, she had a bare breast and is sitting on golf balls this am for hours. Our babies are a week old today, hatched from our flock and I was just curious what your experiences have been like. Thanks so much in advance for the knowledge you all share.

PS - I took her off the golf balls at around 11:30 when I took some kale out to the gang. When I just collected eggs at 12:20 she was back on the same nest sitting on golf balls. I am going to let her be and then see if I can get her moved tomorrow night, if she is serious, to the small coop blocked from others on the balls for another day or so and then try to slip her a few chicks at night. I understand it is just trial and error and each hen differs. I am hopeful at this point as these guys are a feisty bunch and will outgrow their in the house brooder by next weekend. If she doesn't stay broody then I will be building the mama hen heating pad broody and set that up in the small coop with part of the run blocked from the rest of the gang. That is my plan and hope right now. Any advice is gladly welcomed! Thanks again in advance.

Here is a shot I just took of them.

 

[Ol Grey Mare]

Hi gang,

So what's is everyone's experience in introducing chicks to a broody hen, specifically has anyone had luck introducing week old chicks to a broody? I am hoping that my Dark Cornish is finally broody again, she had a bare breast and is sitting on golf balls this am for hours. Our babies are a week old today, hatched from our flock and I was just curious what your experiences have been like. Thanks so much in advance for the knowledge you all share.

Unfortunately, you have passed the magic window of time in which success is likely - *could* it work, sure - anything is possible, but it is not likely to work and if it goes badly it is likely to go very badly. The thing to remember is that it isn't just about the hen accepting the chicks, but the chicks accepting (and bonding do) the hen. Also, the fact that she has only just begun to be broody will be working against you as well.

 

[COChix]

Unfortunately, you have passed the magic window of time in which success is likely - *could* it work, sure - anything is possible, but it is not likely to work and if it goes badly it is likely to go very badly.  The thing to remember is that it isn't just about the hen accepting the chicks, but the chicks accepting (and bonding do) the hen.  Also, the fact that she has only just begun to be broody will be working against you as well.

Darn, I was afraid of that and figured of course their was an optimal time in which to do the introductions. I was just hoping it would work but respect people's experiences that have been doing this chicken thing a lot longer than myself. Thank you so much for answering!

 

[blkjak]

I have 2 chicks who hatched later than everyone else and they are weaker. Has anyone ever given weaker chicks to a broody hen? I have a hen that would most likely accept them. Wondering if this would save them or not?

 

[frizzylizzy2003]

Hi guys, my broody frizzle is on day 20 and when I went in the the coop she was pacing up and down the sides of the broody pen, she does this when she wants to have a run around. Anyway I had brought some food down to fill up and she escaped! She ran over to the rest of the flock I looked at her eggs and one was pipped and cheeping I immediately went and caught her and put her back in the pen. The then ate her food for abit and then went back to the nest. Overall she was of for about 10mins when I was there but I don't know how long she was pacing the sides. Anyway will the eggs be okay, or will it get shrink wrapped. I don't know how long it has been pipped. But definitely less than 24hrs.

Thanks

its ok dont worry every day up until hatch day my hens got of the eggs for roughly an hour and only 1 didnt hatch and another died (somehow) i no lots of ppl have probably answered this already but oh well and my hen was off this morning in the freezing and i brought an egg inside and it ((vibrated)) in my hand so into the incubator it went lol! good luck with the hatch!

chicks are sometimes known for not being quiters, also try candeling the eggs to see if they are dead or not although if its hatch day u should no by now but if any eggs are a bit late EVER i candle them and/or keep the mother on them or something. hope i helped!
- frizzylizzy03!

 

[frizzylizzy2003]

Thank you.... she loves hatch day more than we do, I think! She will stay in the coop now until dark waiting to get a glimpse of the new hatch.... since we have 6 more broodies right now who are due to hatch at intervals over the next couple of weeks she is a happy girl!

lol my dog chases the hens!

You know I thought my dog could hear those live eggs close to hatch...both under the broody and in the incubator...his interest definitely picked up the last day or so.

lol my dog is just like oh look more things to chase

You have 6 broodies!??? I have 2 right now with another into the second week into raising hers. I have a buckeye who will hit her first week on Saturday and a Black Australorp/Partridge Rock cross who will get her eggs tomorrow. Where do you put yours? I have limited space but with as many as 25 being raised by broodies and some Buff Orpingtons coming into my flock I may have more broodies than layers next year. LOL

I need to build a broody box. Does anyone have pictures or plans?

hi i no this is late but my broody just went in the dog crate or as close to one as posible LOL id try keep her with the hens tho i seperated my hen-a-bator and she got cross and wouldnt sit on the eggs so be careful....

Do hens Co raise their chicks. My one hen who hatched out her chicks a week and a half ago she is doing fine with her 3 chicks. But the 2 hens that hatched their chicks out a couple of days apart the one hen practically stole all of the other hens chicks but is only aggressive to the one little black chick that wants to join with all her other brother and sisters. I am not sure what to do ?? Any advise ?

yes i came back to to broodies and they co-parented 13 ee's, so i"m not sure - also maybe could you try A- sneaking the chick under her at night - carefully or B- hand raise that one with a heat lamp and a box or C-give that one and one other to the other hen ;-) hope it works out

how aggressive is she? i don't know much about chickens but i would try this LoL just from other byc advice

 

[Ol Grey Mare]

lol my dog chases the hens!
lol my dog is just like oh look more things to chase

Probably won't find that so "lol" worthy if (when) he catches one.........

 

[kkcummins]

When is the optimal time to introduce chicks? My BA has just turned up broody and I have 6 Cuckoo Marans coming next Wednesday. I would like to have Kiwi raise the chicks instead of dragging out the heat lamp. The chicks will 1-2 days old. She raised chicks lat year from eggs that she hatched. Any advice will be greatly appreciated.