Broody Hen Thread!

[TXchickenchick]

I have her is a large dog crate with a pan and she seems to like it. Keeps her and the chicks safe. I just ain't sure how to go about letting her out to potty and what not. Should I just let her go in the crate with the bedding or take her out away from the chicks a time or two a day?

I am sure there are people who will disagree, but I would let her out! Let her take those babies out scratching and pecking and dirt bathing. She WILL protect her chicks. My sweet Blanca actually vanished when she went broody. Until she came home with her precious babies I didn't know if she was broody or missing. She has slept in tbe floor of the coop with them every night since. A momma hen is like an angry grizzly bear. If your yard/run/whatever is safe for chickens it's safe for a hen with chicks.

 

[Angie16hearts]

My mille has a few eggs zipped and chirping.

pepper has a majority of eggs zipped and chirping as well and my incubator chicks are rolling around with a couple zips. We are going to have a lot of chicks today

I'm excited to see one certain egg. I'll send pics when done . We have two baseball games and a funeral. I imagine some will be out or close to by the time we get home.

 

[schmooscontrol]

I'm new at this and I have a broody hen that is sitting on some fertilized eggs. Other hens continue to get in the box with her and lay eggs which she just tucks under her, should I move her daily and pull out the fresh eggs? I am worried it will freak her out and I really want her to hatch the eggs she is sitting on. Also my boxes are about 4 feet high and worried bout them falling after hatching. Any suggestions on any of this?

 

[fisherlady]

I'm new at this and I have a broody hen that is sitting on some fertilized eggs. Other hens continue to get in the box with her and lay eggs which she just tucks under her, should I move her daily and pull out the fresh eggs? I am worried it will freak her out and I really want her to hatch the eggs she is sitting on. Also my boxes are about 4 feet high and worried bout them falling after hatching. Any suggestions on any of this?

Mark the eggs you want her to hatch with a circle around the middle with a sharpie and pull any new eggs daily

Figure out a way to block off her nest for the last couple of days so other hens don't bother her close to hatch. After hatching you can move her and chicks to a floor nest in a quiet corner.

 

[EmeraldRuby]

I have a hilarious video! Coca our broody hen. I manage to get the eggs from under her without her biting me.

Quick question:How do you upload a video?

 

[PheobeLover21]

I have a hilarious video!   Coca our broody hen. I manage to get the eggs from under her without her biting me. 

Quick question:How do you upload a video?

You reply and can either add a link or add a video from the image section

 

[Sonya9]

I'm new at this and I have a broody hen that is sitting on some fertilized eggs. Other hens continue to get in the box with her and lay eggs which she just tucks under her, should I move her daily and pull out the fresh eggs? I am worried it will freak her out and I really want her to hatch the eggs she is sitting on. Also my boxes are about 4 feet high and worried bout them falling after hatching. Any suggestions on any of this?

Most folks move the broody/nest to their own area when a hen starts sitting on hatching eggs. If you move the nest be aware as they will often go back to the OLD nest spot for a couple of days so plan to keep her block in for the first couple of days (with food and water of course).

 

[16 paws]

That's what I love about animals and farming chick surreal. There's always something to learn, sometimng to improve, something to grow and love and something to get back from all your hard work put in. It's a beautiful circle

Very well said...x2

 

[16 paws]

I have her is a large dog crate with a pan and she seems to like it. Keeps her and the chicks safe. I just ain't sure how to go about letting her out to potty and what not. Should I just let her go in the crate with the bedding or take her out away from the chicks a time or two a day?

Can you make a little extension on the dog crate? Is she in the coop with others?
Also do you have chick start in there with them, it looked like lay pellets in the picture.
Marie

 

[Southerlys]

Yes. I'm using nutrena chick starter