Broody Hen Thread!

[kendallb12]

Where was her food and water?

the food and water was about a foot away from her

 

[JaeG]

If you are worried, make her take breaks. If she's that dedicated she won't be put off. You don't want her starving or dehydrating herself with her dedication. Some hens need help especially if it's their first time. Our coops are not the wild (which provides far more privacy) and our breeds are not wild chickens.

 

[Island Juli]

Personally, I've never but I've heard of it..
I'd either remove them both and give them both their own nests, or just remove the one u think will be the best broody and give her an area alone

I just had 2 silkie mixes sit all 21 days together on 6 eggs. 3 hatched and they are raising them together.

 

[PD-Riverman]

the food and water was about a foot away from her

OK, if she could reach it without getting off the nest----that could/will cause her to poop in the nest. You set her up where she has to get off the nest to eat/drink and she will poop while off the nest----a little place to dust bath can help. She will be fine. I just had another broody to hatch out some RIR eggs---caught a glimpse of a couple chicks yesterday-----she should come off the nest today.

 

[nchls school]

Sweet! The Brooder is plenty big enough for 2 clutches. I should have taken a photo when BB was sittin patiently waiting for her turn. Do you remove a Broody for food and water? I put it just out of reach. The last batch hatched around here was a surprise. Mother looked just fine. It's not really to hot here yet and going to cool off the next week again so not worried about over heating and dehydration. So I should expect these chicks by 21 days. It's been about 30+ hours, so give them 22 before I worry?

I put the food and water well away from the nest; along with food, water, and poop, they get exercise too. I candle eggs at day 7 and 14 so I know what to expect to hatch. Yes to 22 before worrying. Good luck.

 

[nchls school]

Lets go back a few 1000 years---before you and I started raising chickens----they must have gotten of the nest---to eat/drink/poop etc because they survived---LOL. Did your last hen poop all in the nest and all over the eggs??? If not she got off the nest when you were not looking. I set 150 in the last 3 years, I did not touch them---to make them get off the nest, eat, etc---they all did good. If you let her stay with the rest of the hens----she might not want to get off the nest very much because of other hens getting in her nest while she is off---but she will get off. I move all mine to a private hatching pen---the hen learns quick that there is no threat of other hens so my hens usually get off the nest at least once daily till getting close hatch time. Food and water is out of her reach so she has to get off the nest to eat etc. This allows her to stretch her legs, poop etc. "I" feel placing food next to her nest causes problems so I do Not do that-----some do---in my case with 150 broody hens I have never had one to poop in the nest----if I left food close---they will poop all over it or they will have to get off the eggs at hatching time to poop----which is not good in ""MY"" opinion. Good Luck

I do not have 150 broodies-not even over the last ten years, but...X2.

 

[kendallb12]

OK, if she could reach it without getting off the nest----that could/will cause her to poop in the nest. You set her up where she has to get off the nest to eat/drink and she will poop while off the nest----a little place to dust bath can help. She will be fine. I just had another broody to hatch out some RIR eggs---caught a glimpse of a couple chicks yesterday-----she should come off the nest today.

ok thank you!

 

[James Beller]

We have too many broodies who are spioling eggs by switching nest. could i get them chicks from like orshelns or something. if so how?

 

[fisherlady]

We have too many broodies who are spioling eggs by switching nest.  could i get them chicks from like orshelns or something.  if so how?

Check the 'OLD FASHIONED BROODY HEN' thread, I just explained my method there.
The chicks need to be only a day old or so for best chance at it working.

 

[Egghead_Jr]

Two broody Silver Penciled Plymouth Rocks that like to look out the door all day. They started in back of small grow out coop on hay nests I made and rest of coop is shavings. Have since rolled eggs and some hay to the door for vista.