Broody Hen Thread!

[lydiagirl99]

Hello ! This is my first time ever having a broody hen I'm a little ticked off, though because I was not expecting her to go broody as she's just a red sex link from tractor supply and they're not known for broodiness so I borrowed an incubator from a friend and hatched 4 little ones and I swear just as I get done with that, she decides to go broody. Silly chicken. Her name is crumbs and she's a sweetie. She ended up sitting on 14 eggs! She of course sat in the hens favorite nesting box so I marked her eggs so I could take out any new ones but they've been pretty good about leaving her alone. it's been 8 days now and i'm so looking forward to having her hatch her eggs. I've been giving her special treats like watermelon and strawberry since she's been in the same spot for a while and the girl tend to pick on her when she comes down. ANYWAY ! I do have a question for you guys.When the eggs hatch, do I leave them with her or do I take them into the brooder ? I want them to be people friendly as all but one of my hens you can walk up to and pick up. Even the rooster lets me hold him, although he throws a bit of a bigger fit. I want them to be able to be with momma but I also want to make sure they won't be people shy because of it.

 

[Puddin Fluff]

Hello ! This is my first time ever having a broody hen I'm a little ticked off, though because I was not expecting her to go broody as she's just a red sex link from tractor supply and they're not known for broodiness so I borrowed an incubator from a friend and hatched 4 little ones and I swear just as I get done with that, she decides to go broody. Silly chicken. Her name is crumbs and she's a sweetie. She ended up sitting on 14 eggs! She of course sat in the hens favorite nesting box so I marked her eggs so I could take out any new ones but they've been pretty good about leaving her alone. it's been 8 days now and i'm so looking forward to having her hatch her eggs. I've been giving her special treats like watermelon and strawberry since she's been in the same spot for a while and the girl tend to pick on her when she comes down. ANYWAY ! I do have a question for you guys.When the eggs hatch, do I leave them with her or do I take them into the brooder ? I want them to be people friendly as all but one of my hens you can walk up to and pick up. Even the rooster lets me hold him, although he throws a bit of a bigger fit. I want them to be able to be with momma but I also want to make sure they won't be people shy because of it.

congrats and good luck! What I try to do with mine is after hatch and when they are ready to go to ground, I spend time giving mama and babies treats while I sit on the ground with them. That gives them a chance to get used to you and if mama is already friendly that helps. She will be more antsy and protective than she would normally be, of course. I also try to intrude at bed time and pull a chick or two out and pet them and let them get used to being held. Usually everyone is pretty calm at bed time and when mom sits with the other babies tucked under she is much less likely to fuss too much and dislodge the others while you cuddle the one or two.

Others might have other procedures. That works pretty well for me.

 

[wannahomestead]

When should I candle my eggs for the first time? I'm on day 3 I think. Day 10?

 

[vpatt]

I cant believe i am having such trouble getting chicks this year after all i had last year. Now the little cochin is playing at being broody. She will set half the day and then plwy therest of the day. Fingers crossed that she gets serious. And that i can get eggs for her. She iis my only layer right now and the only extra eggs i havs are on the kitchen counter. Should i have put them in the fridge? They are 3 to 4 weeks old. Maybe i can bum some from a neighbor.

 

[fisherlady]

I cant believe i am having such trouble getting chicks this year after all i had last year. Now the little cochin is playing at being broody. She will set half the day and then plwy therest of the day. Fingers crossed that she gets serious. And that i can get eggs for her. She iis my only layer right now and the only extra eggs i havs are on the kitchen counter. Should i have put them in the fridge? They are 3 to 4 weeks old. Maybe i can bum some from a neighbor.

3-4 weeks old, I would scramble them and feed them back to the birds, if they are even good for that. I wouldn't put them in my fridge after that long, i have no problem with a week to 10 days but after that I feed them back to the birds or dogs.
I don't set any eggs under my hens that are older than about 10 days.

 

[Thistledewfarm]

Oh man... So my one chicken who went missing last spring (we found her 21 days later with chicks) just so happened to dissapear about 6 days ago...
I found her the other night nesting in our hay loft

How the heck am I gonna be able to move her and babies when the time comes?? She's literally 15ft up..
Should I try and move her now since it's still early?

 

[Puddin Fluff]

When should I candle my eggs for the first time? I'm on day 3 I think. Day 10?

Usually day 7-9 gives you the best look at what is developing. Can be done earlier if you have a good candler.

 

[Puddin Fluff]

Oh man... So my one chicken who went missing last spring (we found her 21 days later with chicks) just so happened to dissapear about 6 days ago...
I found her the other night nesting in our hay loft

How the heck am I gonna be able to move her and babies when the time comes?? She's literally 15ft up..
Should I try and move her now since it's still early?

I think I would just monitor her and move her to ground after the chicks hatch. I personally have not had luck relocating a broody but I know others who have. If they are in the hay barn, most likely they would just tumble down and be fine. I am amazed at how "rubber" little chicks are!

 

[vpatt]

3-4 weeks old, I would scramble them and feed them back to the birds, if they are even good for that. I wouldn't put them in my fridge after that long, i have no problem with a week to 10 days but after that I feed them back to the birds or dogs.
I don't set any eggs under my hens that are older than about 10 days.

Thanks Fisherlady, last year i had all kinds of broodies and no problems ......we had chicks running every which way. I will get eggs from someone. Not so carefree this year mostly thanks to Mr. Fox.

 

[wannahomestead]

Usually day 7-9 gives you the best look at what is developing. Can be done earlier if you have a good candler.

I'll just give it until 7-9 days then. My candler is just a flashlight, lol