Broody Hen Thread!

[wannahomestead]

I did what I think is my final candling tonight. Looks like all 10 eggs are still viable. I lost 2 to damage, have 6 of my easter eggs left, and 4 of my "brown" eggs. These are australop/RIR (brown) and easter eggers mixed w/ a RIR roo. I really hope these hatch, I want to see the coloring on these guys/gals really bad!

 

[16 paws]

And who said hybrids Dont go broody?

Too cute, what breed is the hen?

 

[irishsilkie]

Too cute, what breed is the hen?

Isa brown

 

[vpatt]

I have an ISA Brown, i really like her. I had thought she might never go broody but now i will hope, lol.

 

[fisherlady]

I had a similar situation just now. Long story short my broody rejected 2 eggs yesterday and I put then under another broody. Today they hatched but did at make it out. I'm not sure what happened but they were still quite encased in shell and looked a bit flattened. I thought I heard peeping earlier but when we returned to check on the progress the peeping had stopped . This was this hen's first try and ours too. There are 3 eggs under the other broody and I noticed a black little fuzzy face as I attempted to look under her but don't know if the other 2 are/will hatch. I guess I should let nature take its course. These 5 eggs were "grown" in an incubator until day 18. Not sure if moving them to hatch under hens at that point was the best plan either.

How long had the 2nd foster hen been broody when you switched the eggs to her? I have found that broody hens , particularly new broodies, do much better if they are setting for about 2 weeks before getting eggs that are ready to hatch or grafting chicks. The hen goes through stages as she broods, and sometimes they aren't ready for hatching and chick activity, they are still wanting to sit tight on the nest to keep eggs warm. I have noticed when our hens are hatching the mama hen lifts herself up just slightly to provide a bit of wiggle room for the chicks. Hens not ready for this will still be sitting 'heavy' and can crush chicks or zipping eggs.

 

[the poppster]

I've got two broody hens available, 28 Serama eggs in the incubator...10 Orpington eggs on the way. And the brand new egg turner stopped working after two days. Just makes noise that you can hear from the other end of the house! Anyway, I'm going to put about half of the little eggs under the little broody EE hen. Leaving the rest of the eggs in the incubator. I will transfer the eggs out to mom when they start to peep if all goes well she will be crawling with tiny chicks...which will please her to no end. She is a Glorious Momma Bird! I will give the big penciled rock hen as many of the Orpington eggs as she can cover...the rest will go into the incubator till just before they hatch or just after. That's the plan....no we will see how it goes....

 

[urbannarnia27]

How long had the 2nd foster hen been broody when you switched the eggs to her? I have found that broody hens , particularly new broodies, do much better if they are setting for about 2 weeks before getting eggs that are ready to hatch or grafting chicks. The hen goes through stages as she broods, and sometimes they aren't ready for hatching and chick activity, they are still wanting to sit tight on the nest to keep eggs warm. I have noticed when our hens are hatching the mama hen lifts herself up just slightly to provide a bit of wiggle room for the chicks. Hens not ready for this will still be sitting 'heavy' and can crush chicks or zipping eggs.

Hi fisherlady, thanks for your reply. She actually had only been broody about a week I think. Putting the eggs under her was a spontaneous move because they had been pushed out the nest by my other Cochin who had been broody for 3-4 weeks. The eggs were at 18 days so I panicked and thought- anywhere is better than losing them. So sad, but very good advice and insight, thanks. Hope all goes well with my original broody and her 3 eggs. We have one little black chick now and 2 eggs still under her without any movement (as far as I can see because she's pretty puffed up and letting us to know back off!) Today is day 21. I guess the little one who has been born for 24 hours already was a little older?

 

[16 paws]

I've got two broody hens available, 28 Serama eggs in the incubator...10 Orpington eggs on the way. And the brand new egg turner stopped working after two days. Just makes noise that you can hear from the other end of the house! Anyway, I'm going to put about half of the little eggs under the little broody EE hen. Leaving the rest of the eggs in the incubator. I will transfer the eggs out to mom when they start to peep if all goes well she will be crawling with tiny chicks...which will please her to no end. She is a Glorious Momma Bird! I will give the big penciled rock hen as many of the Orpington eggs as she can cover...the rest will go into the incubator till just before they hatch or just after. That's the plan....no we will see how it goes....

How many Seramas do you have? I just hatched out 5 babies out of 7, one didnt make it so now mama is brooding 4. I just bought 2 really nice Serama roosters yesterday. I just love this breed. The boys walk around like little tin soldiers with their wings pointed straight down and their chest all blown out! It cracks me up every time I look at them

 

[the poppster]

Well, I have three babies...with a very attentive Silkie mix hen...two are yellow and black....the other is black with white trim...so far so good...I hung up a Bug Zapper and feed the toasted bugs to the hen and babies, as a treat! The spoiled little guys start chirping when they hear me...and plaster themselves up to the wire when I walk towards the zapper!

 

[16 paws]

Well, I have three babies...with a very attentive Silkie mix hen...two are yellow and black....the other is black with white trim...so far so good...I hung up a Bug Zapper and feed the toasted bugs to the hen and babies, as a treat! The spoiled little guys start chirping when they hear me...and plaster themselves up to the wire when I walk towards the zapper

What a great idea, may have to steal that one haha

Mine are so tiny. I think they are about a week old now.
Post some pictures of yours if you have time, I would love to see them.
Thanks
Marie