Broody Hen Thread!

[HighStreetCoop]

I just did it with day old chicks. The broodys who'd been sitting 2-3 weeks went for it just fine. The one who'd only been sitting a week did NOT! She pecked at them then went back to her nest. I have her eggs. Need to candle them tonight.

 

[SilkieNation]

First broody hen for me! My big giant blue splash orpington is sitting on some eggs inside the coop - she's crammed into a pretty small nesting box. Anything I should do for her to make it better? She's going to get really hot in there. It's not too bad this week but for 3 weeks in July in Georgi inside the coop? Ugh!

If there's room, freeze a bottle of water, sit it in some kind of plastic container and nestle it in there with her. Air conditioning! I have been doing this for my Silkie. I freeze a liter bottle and sit it in a round storage container. It really works well. Don't forget the container though, because as it melts there's lots of water from the condensation. You can always run a fan on her as well.

 

[TXchickenchick]

She's just beautiful! And the chicks are adorable.

I always want more roos, but we usually get a 3 to 1 ratio with girls to boys. So she had ALL boys? Wow!

Thank you! I love her dearly. When I bought her I kept questioning her size and the man insisted she was a standard. She is the tiniest bantam ever! Lol

Yes, she hatched 6 last time and this time. She hides her nest and only sits on her own eggs. I had one I was holding out hope on from her last 6 but 'she' is now clearly a he as well. Thankfully they are all getting along so far but I don't expect it to last. And they aren't even big enough to eat! Lol

 

[ahiatt]

Going through our first broody hen experience, 10 out of 13 chicks hatched a week ago today! We had an interesting time making sure she would return to the proper nest box everyday when she stepped out for a stretch and a snack. For a week I had to hang out by coop around 9:30 am (that was her preferred time) to make sure she went in the proper box. One time I had to relocate her and she was SO mad at me (I'm only trying to help, mama). Finally she got the hang of it. Its been so fun, though, and it felt like Christmas morning to see those little chick peek out from underneath her the first time.

 

[fisherlady]

Going through our first broody hen experience, 10 out of 13 chicks hatched a week ago today! We had an interesting time making sure she would return to the proper nest box everyday when she stepped out for a stretch and a snack. For a week I had to hang out by coop around 9:30 am (that was her preferred time) to make sure she went in the proper box. One time I had to relocate her and she was SO mad at me (I'm only trying to help, mama). Finally she got the hang of it. Its been so fun, though, and it felt like Christmas morning to see those little chick peek out from underneath her the first time.

Congrats on the hatch...I hope you are ready for more because you will end up addicted to broodies before you know it!

 

[alibabba]

Don't mess with tbe momma hen! Lol My precious liitle Violet just came out with 6 perfect little sweethearts this morning!

She is a super tiny bantam naked neck. The only bantam in my flock. But my oh my she looks like a big girl here! Lol

I love it! What is she raising?

 

[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.

Hey! Yesterday we had torrential rain all day. I was worried.. Momma was sitting in a small puddle in the grass near the food, but babies were standing in water! I put her and babies in the cat box and brought her in to the tub on a tarp. (All my chicken spots are no vacancy right now).

She was fine... even had em out this am pecking around the tub, like she does it everyday!

 

[alibabba]

My eggs are at day 22 (almost 23). There are no signs of pipping. I had candled at day 17 and everything looked good. The chicks were moving. I'm just getting worried. I live in Phoenix and was wondering if the heat has maybe messed with them. It's been really hot out the past couple weeks. Although it rained last night and is humid now. How worried should I be?

I think mine were what "I" thought was day 23. She might not have got them going the first day she sat.... Patience! All 6 of mine hatched and are running around! About day 23 and 24!

 

[TXchickenchick]

I love it!  What is she raising?

Thanks. They are from her eggs (bantam naked neck) crossed with my standard buff laced polish roo. So far her older (same mix) chicks are turning out beautiful. As soon as she 'weaned' tbe first ones she went broody again!

 

[alibabba]

They were from a local lady. I think she said they are aloha chickens. It's a mix breed project she has been working on for six years. I think Sussex is part of the mix. The eggs are different shades of brown.

Seriously just wait. Won't hurt anything. Again, mine just hatched all of the good ones on day 23 and 24 or was it 24 and 25? Hmmm. seriously... one morning there was a little pip, then it was like popcorn!!!