Broody Hen Thread!

[PD-Riverman]

If someone has any feedback on my question above, I'd appreciate it. Want to know how long we should confine mama bird and baby/babies to their temporary dog carrier home before they can venture out to the larger coop

We have different ways and reasons to do things different. I NEVER allow chicks in with the larger chickens. When the chicks do not need "mama" any more she is put back with the big chickens. The chicks will always have their own place till they grow to adults----then they can go in with the others or replace some of the older ones because I never keep hens/layers much over 2 years old. I sell them.

 

[fisherlady]

If someone has any feedback on my question above, I'd appreciate it. Want to know how long we should confine mama bird and baby/babies to their temporary dog carrier home before they can venture out to the larger coop

I generally confine mine until the chicks are 1-2 weeks old and then let them venture out with the rest of my free-ranging flock.  Mama hen usually leads them back into their dog kennel until they are around 4-6 weeks, at which time they typically go into the main coop at night on their own.  Once they do that, that is where they stay.

I agree with trailrider, with the additional caution that flock dynamics can alter time frames needed dramatically. An experienced broody hen in a laid back flock may be fine right from the start and a new broody within a persnickity flock of bossy hens may need a few weeks of time to let her chicks get big enough to avoid problem flock members.
Initial exposure between broody and the flock should ideally be done in a very open area and under human observation with a plan in place to be able to quickly gather chicks back from harms way if problems occur. Even after our broodies are mixed in with the flock in the coop they all have a nest area provided in a quieter area which they can retreat to if they feel the need and it is that spot they spend their nights till the hen decides to move them up onto the shelves for roosting with the flock.

 

[PD-Riverman]

Hi!
I just wanted to thank all of you who responded to my plea for help with my first experience with a broody hen. I ended up buying what was termed a rabbit cage, put food and water in it, and putting it on the side of the house where there was no direct sun as its warmed up pretty nicely here along the Front Range in Colorado. Pam ended up spending 6 1/2 days in the penalty box , as my husband called it, before it looked like she was ready to come out. Its been a few days now and so far so good although she does seem to have slipped a notch in the pecking order
.

Hey, did you have the "rabbit cage" elevated up off the dirt with no bedding or anything she could lay on other than wire In the cage?? Some people have the cage on the dirt or have the plastic catch tray in the bottom---which for sure does not work. Usually 3 days is all mine take, but some hen are more determined. Great she broke!

 

[JessHeller]

Yep. Just a wire bottom. We put shavings in tray under the cage but Pam was sitting on just plain wire and we covered the cage at night with some old towels. No comforts of home.

 

[Liberty rd]

What do I do if hen goes broody but we have no rooster do I take the eggs. How long are they good for after she sits on them awhile

 

[PD-Riverman]

Thanks for your thoughts.

I dont always agree with all of your methods, but do respect that you have great experience, and I appreciate that you share it!! So thank you again!

You welcome!!

As far as my methods---I do have a lot of experience------BUT---I Love to Learn new ways and Love to Help others as you can see with all the post I post. If you feel some of my methods need to be improved----PLEASE, Please, Please help me to learn a new and better way----I would Love to be better at what I Love doing. Or maybe you could allow me to better explain why I feel my method is working the best for me. I would Love to discuss any of that with you!!

 

[WVduckchick]

You welcome!!

As far as my methods---I do have a lot of experience------BUT---I Love to Learn new ways and Love to Help others as you can see with all the post I post. If you feel some of my methods need to be improved----PLEASE, Please, Please  help me to learn a new and better way----I would Love to be better at what I Love doing.  Or maybe you could allow me to better explain why I feel my method is working the best for me. I would Love to discuss any of that with you!!

See, that's another one of the things I like about you. Willing to discuss and weigh options, and consider different things. I know we have posted on a few of the same threads. I think I'm more of a meddler than you are, like at incubator lockdown time, but I dont know of anything that you do that I could improve upon. You have great results! But if I ever disagree with you, or have a question, I know I can ask without you getting nutso about it! Lol

 

[shellina]

Hi y'all I have a broody hen and she's been lying on her eggs for about four weeks now should I toss the eggs or should I give it another week or two ??? I really need help
with this one

 

[PD-Riverman]

See, that's another one of the things I like about you. Willing to discuss and weigh options, and consider different things. I know we have posted on a few of the same threads. I think I'm more of a meddler than you are, like at incubator lockdown time, but I dont know of anything that you do that I could improve upon. You have great results! But if I ever disagree with you, or have a question, I know I can ask without you getting nutso about it! Lol

No, No problem with discussing anything---If you call me stupid---I will get a different attitude---LOL. About Lock-down, If what you a doing is working-needs no improving---continue---don't change a thing. In the beginning I went through all the opening during lock-down, opening to add water, opening to help a chick that seems in trouble, etc, etc and opening more, etc, etc.. I had some awful hatch %, so I tried to improve my hatch method----did you read my last hatch results----my 80 yr old mother wanted to help me candle for the hatcher-----she kept saying good, good, good, clear etc but she pointed out 3 eggs that did not look good(early death to me), I said Mother---we will put them in the hatcher and give them a chance. With those 3 I put 236 eggs in and took 233 chicks out----I should have marked those 3 but I did not. Now, Lets be honest here---I improved my hatching----it seems I figured out a better way than I did in the beginning---the biggest thing I do different is NOT open the incubator for Nothing----I even wait till day 22 to open the first time since day 18 to remove chicks. 95 to 100% hatch every time, every week with 1000's and 1000's hatched in the last 1 and 1/2 years or so. Now I am like this if someone has some good advice where I can make a little change, where I can get 98 to100% hatch every hatch---I am all ears.

Again I know MANY people open at will and help, add water, candle up to hatched out, and many of them say they have great hatches----all I can say, is the same thing I have always said---if your hatching method is working great----don't change a thing, but I can say from experience in my """LOCATION"" you can not do that---Not just for me---many people around my area----if you open one time during lock-down the hatch % goes way down, some eggs are saved by helping, some not, some hatch, some stay up all night to help when needed, lots of watching, lots of cheering a pipped egg on. Its not that way here anymore--some times I do not even look(through the window) in my incubator from day 18 to day 22. They don't need my help and I am not going to open it if they did. They do good by themselves!

I do not disagree with your method if you choose to open 100 times a day during your hatch and you have 100% hatches--that's Good---that's your thing, your hatch and I hope you do not disagree with me keeping mine locked-down tight, because I am happy with my results. If you can open often without it effecting your hatch----I am Jealous---I wish I could open here to do things in there when needed----but I can't.

I just want everyone to have a great hatch and I try to share how I do it and how it is working for me. If I say to a newbie or anyone ""I"" would Not open it---that does not mean they better not---thats just what ""I"" would not do. Because of past disputes I try to stay away from certain threads----I do not want people angry with me----again I just want us all to have great hatches!!. Good Hatching

 

[WVduckchick]

I know exactly what you are saying. Its a fine line, huh! My biggest issue is those who say do or not do something, because that's their way, and don't think anything else can work. Or ones that have no idea, and still offer advice. I have always noticed that you say things like "here's what works for me" and I respect that, more than I can say.