Broody Hen Thread!

[fisherlady]

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!

X2, if she feels safe and content there then let her do her thing. You can figure an approximate hatch time and watch for chicks. If you see her off of the nest with the chicks in the loft then help them down if you feel they need it.

 

[lydiagirl99]

Thank You ! That helped a lot

 

[Puddin Fluff]

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

mine too. Doesn't work very well on really dark shells but usually well enough to see if they are clear.

 

[microchick]

Aggie's second clutch of eggs are due to hatch this weekend. It just dawned on me that a few days before she went broody I bought 200 pounds of game bird finisher for the flock and have 0 chick starter on hand. Wouldn't be hard to get it or at least game bird starter but is it necessary? I did a comparison of of nutritional values of chick starter compared with game bird finisher and the finisher actually seems to be better than the starter in protein and several other nutrients. The MFA chick starter has 15% crude protein, the finisher has 22% protein. Game bird starter has 27% protein but comparing the regular starter with the finisher and the finisher is far more nutritious.

 

[PD-Riverman]

Aggie's second clutch of eggs are due to hatch this weekend. It just dawned on me that a few days before she went broody I bought 200 pounds of game bird finisher for the flock and have 0 chick starter on hand. Wouldn't be hard to get it or at least game bird starter but is it necessary? I did a comparison of of nutritional values of chick starter compared with game bird finisher and the finisher actually seems to be better than the starter in protein and several other nutrients. The MFA chick starter has 15% crude protein, the finisher has 22% protein. Game bird starter has 27% protein but comparing the regular starter with the finisher and the finisher is far more nutritious.

I personally have never seen any Starter for chicks at 15%---my starter is 24%. 15% is to low for just hatched chicks-----in "MY" opinion

 

[microchick]

I tried to get this to copy for me but couldn't so I'll do it this way:

Chick Grower A Crumble A complete feed for growing birds. As an aid in prevention of coccidiosis. Active Drug Ingredient: Amprolium............................................................................................... 0.0125% Nutrient Analysis
Crude Protein, Min................................................................................................................................ 15.0%
Lysine, Min ............................................................................................................................................ 0.70%
Methionine, Min ..................................................................................................................................... 0.2%
Crude Fat, Min ........................................................................................................................................ 3.0%
Crude Fiber, Max..................................................................................................................................... 5.5%
Calcium (Ca), Min.................................................................................................................................... 0.7% C
alcium (Ca), Max ................................................................................................................................... 0.9%
Phosphorus (P), Min.............................................................................................................................. 0.50%
Salt (NaCl), Min ....................................................................................................................................... 0.2%
Salt (NaCl), Max....................................................................................................................................... 0.7%
Ingredients Grain Products, Processed Grain By‐Products, Plant Protein Products, Pork Meat and Bone Meal, Forage

This is why I thought the Game Bird Finisher would be better for them than the chick starter. Plus I do not want to use medicated feed on my chicks.

I've seen very little if any chick starter around me that has a protein level higher than 20% without being a game bird/meat bird type of feed.

So what do you think PD Riverman?

 

[PD-Riverman]

I tried to get this to copy for me but couldn't so I'll do it this way:

Chick Grower A Crumble A complete feed for growing birds. As an aid in prevention of coccidiosis. Active Drug Ingredient: Amprolium............................................................................................... 0.0125% Nutrient Analysis
Crude Protein, Min................................................................................................................................ 15.0%
Lysine, Min ............................................................................................................................................ 0.70%
Methionine, Min ..................................................................................................................................... 0.2%
Crude Fat, Min ........................................................................................................................................ 3.0%
Crude Fiber, Max..................................................................................................................................... 5.5%
Calcium (Ca), Min.................................................................................................................................... 0.7% C
alcium (Ca), Max ................................................................................................................................... 0.9%
Phosphorus (P), Min.............................................................................................................................. 0.50%
Salt (NaCl), Min ....................................................................................................................................... 0.2%
Salt (NaCl), Max....................................................................................................................................... 0.7%
Ingredients Grain Products, Processed Grain By‐Products, Plant Protein Products, Pork Meat and Bone Meal, Forage

This is why I thought the Game Bird Finisher would be better for them than the chick starter. Plus I do not want to use medicated feed on my chicks.

I've seen very little if any chick starter around me that has a protein level higher than 20% without being a game bird/meat bird type of feed.

So what do you think PD Riverman?

That's Grower---not starter, The starter I choose is 20%, what you posted here would be something to switch them over to some weeks later-----would be nice if it had a little more protein----but acceptable. I do not Use the 24% or higher for chicks straight---I feel its to high in protein for chicks-----even though I know some use it. Example---I cut/mix the 24% with some ground corn---dropping it to 20%, 18% then 16% over time.

 

[microchick]

I went back to the MFA site and the only starter I could find was for chicks and fryers, medicated and listed as 20% crude Protein.

So I could safely feed them the Game bird finisher at 22% protein if I cut it with a little ground corn....if I can find ground corn. I wound really hate to give them medicated feed. I know I can get ADM chick starter but once again, I believe it is medicated with Amprolium. Anything else I could use to cut it with if I cannot find ground corn around me?

 

[fisherlady]

I went back to the MFA site and the only starter I could find was for chicks and fryers, medicated and listed as 20% crude Protein.

So I could safely feed them the Game bird finisher at 22% protein if I cut it with a little ground corn....if I can find ground corn. I wound really hate to give them medicated feed. I know I can get ADM chick starter but once again, I believe it is medicated with Amprolium. Anything else I could use to cut it with if I cannot find ground corn around me?

I frequently use finch seed as a treat/scratch/mixer for the broody chicks. The one I get at WalMart is around 15 or 16%.

This is used in moderation, so check any you get for ingredients you may or may not want.

 

[microchick]

Thanks, fisherlady and PD-Riverman.

I will probably have a lot better luck finding the finch seed than ground corn so I will probably go that route. Meaning I will also have to add grit to their diet, correct?