Broody Hen Thread!

[aart]

Out of my five nesting boxes, four have broody hens in them. Making a new set today because half the hens are hiding theirs. When you walk in the coop, there is a chorus of four hens screeching like burning banshees at you...
What am I going to do with 40 chicks???

Quote:

 

[Free Feather]

I was just kidding... My grandmother wants any babies I do not want. I do not actually mind, though.

 

[alibabba]

I have never had trouble moving a hen once they have a couple hatched, if she is in a box which can be moved to a new site without moving her from the nest you shouldn't have any trouble, I do cover the opening with a towel though when I do it, and remove the towel after the nest box is settled in it's new spot.
Just make sure the move is planned... are there any doors you have to open or other obstacles? If there are, then you should have a second person help so that once you pick up her box you carry it straight to the new location with minimal jostling.

Thanks so much for the advice and sharing your experience. We moved her.

There was a landscape fabric curtain I used to keep the other hens out when they would bug her, by staring and waiting at that box.

So that and an old rug and my son opening gates and clearing the way and it's done. Figured I'd make sure to move her by 5, before anyone started wandering in for bed.

All good so far!

 

[alibabba]

Out of my five nesting boxes, four have broody hens in them. Making a new set today because half the hens are hiding theirs. When you walk in the coop, there is a chorus of four hens screeching like burning banshees at you...
What am I going to do with 40 chicks???

I love how they yell....and mine would fly outa the coop over my head for 10 - 20 yards (they are bantams) and land and screech in whoevers face who happened to be unfortunate enough to be at the feed or water. They crack me up. The other hens were so confused.

40 chicks? Lay down and let em climb all over you. lol

 

[Free Feather]

I love how they yell....and mine would fly outa the coop over my head for 10 - 20 yards (they are bantams) and land and screech in whoevers face who happened to be unfortunate enough to be at the feed or water. They crack me up. The other hens were so confused.

40 chicks? Lay down and let em climb all over you. lol

Three of them are bantams on their second brood this year...they are more than a little crazy. The bantams seem to be more feisty about protecting their eggs than the big hens. They probably are making up what they lack in size with a scary show.

 

[alibabba]

Quote:When did I post that I saw 4 pips, 9-10am? 5 babies hatched completely by 1:30ish. That was crazy. I
was expecting it to take wayyyyy, longer. They mustve "zipped" in like record time.
3 bantams. 2 have brown heads/black bodies (like a cowbird) one has HUGE EYES. One black. & 2 SF one has a brownish black look, the other is dark grey. Waiting for a final egg. I forget what the deal was, I put these in 6/2 and then put a fresh in on 6/3, figuring on 24 hrs being OK. So we shall see.

And here come the pics....

 

[alibabba]

Three of them are bantams on their second brood this year...they are more than a little crazy. The bantams seem to be more feisty about protecting their eggs than the big hens. They probably are making up what they lack in size with a scary show.

Agreed 100%. That is exactly what I have observed! Usually the sweetest, they have to act bigger and badder....even though my others are really laid back. So, do you think these girls might have one more batch for me this year? Dare I hope?

I read fall hatches are not as robust (miniscule impact for backyard, but they measure in huge production numbers).

 

[katatonic123]

My little bantam is vicious. She puffs up and growls at me. It's so cute.

 

[alibabba]

Last egg is hatching. And yep, that's what I did added one the next day. The others that hatched yesterday marked 6/2. This last one is marked 6/3.

Good little Momma!

 

[BuffsAndReds]

Congrats on all the little babies.

I can't wait to see my broody with her babies. Hatch day is July 10th. Going to candle to night.