Broody Hen Thread!

[dawnh]

Just thought I'd share a pic of my broody Speckledy Matilda. She hatched 6 chicks over the last 2 days. She is so calm with me, all the way through, she's let me stroke her and check on her eggs. The only time she's pecked was when I was checking on her and there was a newly hatched baby underneath her She's proving to be a super mum, even though she's not even a year old!

 

[casey197530]

So my silkie hatched one egg this is her second time so I went and bought three more chicks for her and she took them no problem. She is so great with them and I love watching them. My question is how long before I put them with the other chickens

 

[PD-Riverman]

i have a broody silkie sitting on 4 easter egger eggs she refuses to move so every morning i have to throw her in the run for food and water

I personally feel you do not have to do this-----She will get off the nest when she is ready. I have set 45 in the last year---I give them a place---they have food and water(not close to the nest)----I just allow them to do as they see fit----I never take them off the nest---if they are setting---I have never lost one---they all looked healthy and they eat good after they came off the nest with their new chicks.

 

[PD-Riverman]

So my silkie hatched one egg --- My question is how long before I put them with the other chickens

How many eggs did you put under your silkie in the beginning? Were they silkie eggs or another breed?

I personally Never put them with the other chickens, but thats your call. If I was going to do that I would wait till they got big enough to some-what protect themselves. Think about it-----You ever been pecked by a chicken----It Hurt didn't it?? We are Huge compared to a chick----wonder how a Chick feels to get pecked on the head by that same chicken that has pecked us? I have stood there and watched chicks getting pecked on----I have seen a chick get pecked on the head----it fell over and started kicking and died-----these were chicks that were hatched with these hens around----not brought in. That was 15 years ago-----It has never happened since-----because I do not put them together any more. I do believe some hens are more aggressive and will hurt chicks---where some hens would not touch them. Good Luck in what you decide!!

 

[Momhen]

THanks. I kinda thought it would be up to the hens. I don't want to cause any stress as the mother hens are doing so well. I have options/space to keep them separate so I think that is the best option.

 

[16 paws]

THanks. I kinda thought it would be up to the hens. I don't want to cause any stress as the mother hens are doing so well. I have options/space to keep them separate so I think that is the best option.

I agree with PD-Riverman, I would keep them separate for at least 8 weeks. When I do put them in with the others I make sure they have plenty of places they can hide/get away from the big chooks. I put big branches out in the run and they can slip under them. I also put boxes against the corners so they can run behind them.
Good luck,
Marie

 

[schmooscontrol]

Hatching day came a couple days later then expected and am excited because I thought they weren't going to hatch. Around day 17 she got confused and sat in her old nesting box most of the day. Hope to see more chicks in the morning!

 

[Morrigan]

Congrats on the hatches! Love the pictures Schmoos and Dawnh.

I just came back from checking on my broody (day 20) and I'm 90% sure I heard tapping under her. That hen has not changed position on the nest box in two days. She looks exhausted. I put food and water directly in front of where her head is last night and she ate the food, at least. My fingers are crossed that I get some chicks soon.

As far as introducing the chicks, for both of my previous hatches, the chicks were hatched in the main coop (one in a dog cage inside the coop and another in a nest box) and around the other chickens from the beginning. It must depend on your flock, but I didn't have problems with the other hens harassing the chicks. My rooster was extremely protective of the chicks from day 1, and I think that helped. I'm glad it worked out, because it was great to be able to keep them together, not have my broody lose her status in the flock, and not have to go through a process of integrating young strange chickens into the main flock.

I think if the broody and chicks has been in a separate brooding area, I would wait several weeks. The broody is going to be picked on by the rest of the flock and in no position to protect her chicks effectively.

 

[crazychicken5]

my broody bantam sat for 19 days with a few small breaks, and the on day 20, she got off like something was wrong and didn't want to get back on. I sat her back on the nest and after a couple times doing this she settled back down on her eggs. and is still sitting. ( she got food and water and took a poop) will a broody get of when the eggs are hatching (they're large eggs)? or will she stay on them? this is my first time hatching chicks, so i have a lot of questions.

 

[fisherlady]

my broody bantam sat for 19 days with a few small breaks, and the on day 20, she got off like something was wrong and didn't want to get back on. I sat her back on the nest and after a couple times doing this she settled back down on her eggs. and is still sitting. ( she got food and water and took a poop) will a broody get of when the eggs are hatching (they're large eggs)? or will she stay on them? this is my first time hatching chicks, so i have a lot of questions.

There is no way for us to know for sure, but there are 2 things I can think of....
1.... being a young hen she is getting confused for time or is was broody for a while before getting eggs so she thinks they are duds...

2... the eggs began moving since they are so close to hatch and it confused her or freaked her a bit, again, it is maybe due to inexperience and once over the initial scare she will settle back in.

Watch her closely to make sure she adjusts from setting to hatching/ mama mode without trouble though... she should be fine but first timers are always an unknown....