Broody Hen Thread!

[the poppster]

She didn't hurt the chicks...stupid spell check...she didn't "blooded" the chicks...she kept them warm.

 

[RachaelR32]

Not sure how much longer she'll sit on these remaining eggs. The first to hatch (over 24hrs ago) are running around and eating. She's been up more today, twice to go drink that I've seen and for a poop. She has gone back to the eggs each time. I can see that 3 more have pipped so I hope she sticks around long enough for them.

(she had them tucked away quickly after this picture, she'd just gone for a poop).

 

[the poppster]

Not sure how much longer she'll sit on these remaining eggs. The first to hatch (over 24hrs ago) are running around and eating. She's been up more today, twice to go drink that I've seen and for a poop. She has gone back to the eggs each time. I can see that 3 more have pipped so I hope she sticks around long enough for them.

(she had them tucked away quickly after this picture, she'd just gone for a poop).

She looks just like my Little Gray Bird...pretty girl! If she's as determined as LGB she will stick with the eggs as long as they are peeping...I had the same thing happen to me...now I try to be sure that all the eggs for the set are put under the broody at the same time and they are all about the same size...the big ones seem to take a bit longer than the little ones...I added about three extras after the broody had set eggs for a few days...and that's what happened...I won't do that again...I almost lost those three chicks, if it hadn't been that particular broody they wouldn't have made it.

 

[RachaelR32]

She looks just like my Little Gray Bird...pretty girl! If she's as determined as LGB she will stick with the eggs as long as they are peeping...I had the same thing happen to me...now I try to be sure that all the eggs for the set are put under the broody at the same time and they are all about the same size...the big ones seem to take a bit longer than the little ones...I added about three extras after the broody had set eggs for a few days...and that's what happened...I won't do that again...I almost lost those three chicks, if it hadn't been that particular broody they wouldn't have made it.

These were all set on the same day. I had been worried after reading that bantam eggs can hatch early, but the bantam egg the guy gave me is one of those that's not hatched yet. I hope it makes it as that is the only one I saw developing when I candled each time.

I really hope when I go out this morning that the 3 pipped ones have hatched.

Broody was sold to me as a brahma, but shes not much like my other 2 brahmas so I wonder if shes got a bit of something else mixed in. The guy I got her off breeds brahmas and silkies.

 

[CherriesBrood]

She looks just like my Little Gray Bird...pretty girl! If she's as determined as LGB she will stick with the eggs as long as they are peeping...I had the same thing happen to me...now I try to be sure that all the eggs for the set are put under the broody at the same time and they are all about the same size...the big ones seem to take a bit longer than the little ones...I added about three extras after the broody had set eggs for a few days...and that's what happened...I won't do that again...I almost lost those three chicks, if it hadn't been that particular broody they wouldn't have made it.

These were all set on the same day. I had been worried after reading that bantam eggs can hatch early, but the bantam egg the guy gave me is one of those that's not hatched yet. I hope it makes it as that is the only one I saw developing when I candled each time.

I really hope when I go out this morning that the 3 pipped ones have hatched.

Broody was sold to me as a brahma, but shes not much like my other 2 brahmas so I wonder if shes got a bit of something else mixed in. The guy I got her off breeds brahmas and silkies.

She definitely looks like she has some other breed in her. Maybe welsummer? I'm not sure exactly.
Hope you have more babies hatch! They are cute!

 

[the poppster]

My hen that looks like her is a little Easter Egger she's a natural broody mom...right from the start. The only problem is she is towards the end of the pecking order...so ill have to think twice about letting her hatch out many chicks this spring...I'm going to pick out a broody that's a bit further up the pecking order...she will pass that fearless demeanor on to her chicks, since it seems they tend to mimic the hens behavior to a certain extent. The Jersey Giant hen that went broody last spring. Turned out to be a neglectful mom...right from the start she didn't call her chicks to food....she just tucked in and chowed down....her poor little ones were on their own other then her keeping them warm...she acted like they weren't even there...not aggressive...just not attentive...she could have cared less. They approached the other broody(the great one) but she didn't want anything to do with them....it was sad to watch. But it proves that good Mothering counts.

 

[the poppster]

I'm hoping for you...that would be a great start of the day! Cross your fingers! Let us know how it works out. Good luck!

 

[RachaelR32]

Up to 7 hatched now. Mum is coming and going from the nest so don't know if the remaining 3 will make it. I'm out all day today so won't be around if she abandons them.

 

[RachaelR32]

 

[CherriesBrood]

OH I sure hope everything turns out okay! She should be staying on the nest all the time to keep the humidity up.