Broody Hen Thread!

[PheobeLover21]

My chicken is laying on about 8-10 eggs and it's my first time any advice should I move her to a 6 by 6 box or let her just be in the boxes. Should I move her when she gets closer to hatching

 

[BYC910]

now this is something I know about the hen comfortable where she is or she wouldn't be setting there . if she is in a run /hen house with others you may need to separate them when they hatch .or remove the from the hen and brood them yourself .other chickens may kill the chicks if they are in a coop. if the hen is free ranging she should be able to take care of them herself, if there are no predators around. its really up to you. count the days so you know when there coming .

 

[ChickInDelight]

Dovey's first 3 have hatched.


I successfully moved them to the mini-cooper.


I also moved about 18 eggs - the little hoarder!~

I am just playing it by ear, but in a few days, I plan to remove what has not hatched. I noticed that the ones I think I set under her, the white eggs, were really hot.

 

[JaceAgain]

Day 19!!!:yiipchick

 

[BeanHen]

Hey all!
I thought I'd post this here, rather than start another thread, but what kind of waterer should I use for a broody and her 2, three-day-old chicks?
I had considered using a cleaned-out Gatorade bottle with a nipple on the end, but I realize I'd have to hang it low enough for the chicks to reach.
Should I just continue to use a normal waterer? And how high should it be from the ground (the chicks' back height, correct)?
Should I put stones or marbles or something in the water to keep them from drowning? How much harder would that be for momma to drink too?

Thanks!

 

[ChickInDelight]

I use hamster bottles for chicks. This is the first brood that did not come from the post office. Hopefully, mom remembers how to get water.

New question - how many days can chicks go without food and water? Dovey has not brought her chicks out to eat yet (hatched last night - I think).

 

[fisherlady]

I use hamster bottles for chicks.  This is the first brood that did not come from the post office.  Hopefully, mom remembers how to get water.

New question - how many days can chicks go without food and water?  Dovey has not brought her chicks out to eat yet (hatched last night - I think).

They are good for 2 to 3 days, though I prefer 2 days during times of extreme hot or cold weather.

 

[fosterson]

A couple of days ago my partner's favorite French Copper Black Marans hen (henceforth known as Winifred) went missing. We couldn't find any sign that a predator got her but she just seemed to have vanished into thin air! Yesterday he got a wild 'notion' and looked in the irises growing up against the house and found her wedged in there good and tight. We have predators (owls, hawks, coyotes, and rattlesnakes) so he decided to move her into a broody box in the house (he's a little chicken crazy). She's all pancaked out and tranced up now and we're looking at a dozen eggs under her due Memorial Day or there abouts!

 

[16 paws]

Day 19!!!

Hi there,
My broody is due to hatch on saturday and sunday. I have been looking for someone who is due along with me!

I say saturday and sunday because she has banty eggs and LF

eggs. In my past experience the banty eggs seem to hatch on day 20. I havent candled any eggs and the last time I saw the eggs she had 11. 4 Lavender Americanas, 3 Olive Eggers and the rest are bantam cochins/silkies. Cant wait to see how many hatch and how she does with them. She has only had chicks grafted to her, never hatched her own. My broodys name is Layla and she is a beautiful blue Cochin.

What are you hatching?
Marie

 

[Sonya9]

Hi there,
My broody is due to hatch on saturday and sunday. I have been looking for someone who is due along with me!

I say saturday and sunday because she has banty eggs and LF

eggs. In my past experience the banty eggs seem to hatch on day 20. I havent candled any eggs and the last time I saw the eggs she had 11. 4 Lavender Americanas, 3 Olive Eggers and the rest are bantam cochins/silkies. Cant wait to see how many hatch and how she does with them. She has only had chicks grafted to her, never hatched her own. My broodys name is Layla and she is a beautiful blue Cochin.

What are you hatching?
Marie

Hey 16Paws! Haven't seen you since we were both on the "two broodies" thread last year. Seems that thread has died.

I will hatch with ya, got two bantam eggs that pipped today and should hatch tonight (if everything goes well). I remember Layla from last year, and this year once again my little "Zilla" is the broody.

She went very broody and I had fertile eggs from my Ginger OEGB Rooster and BB Red hen so I let her sit on two. They won't be purebred but they should have great personalities and be eye candy nevertheless.

Those lavendar Americaunas sound lovely!