Broody Hen Thread!

[mcclucker]

I do have a question though - is it ok for her to just eat the chicks' starter crumbles for now? She's not going to be laying for a while yet I assume. I don't know how to feed her adult food without the littles getting into it.

 

[MuffMom]

I'm interested to hear the grower crumble question input too. That's what I was planning on doing. My broody should hatch sunday or monday...

 

[mcclucker]

She's eating a ton of it like she hasn't eaten much in 2 weeks, so I'm guessing it's ok. Poops have gone back to normal (from the broody watery mess) as well.

 

[WVduckchick]

I give mine the chick starter or flock raiser. Actually, when I have a bunch of chicks, like I do now, since I've had a broody in almost every pen, everybody goes back to starter or raiser for a little while. Doesn't seem to affect the other eggs at all. JMHO.

 

[Lady of McCamley]

X2
Momma and babies should be on chick starter (best for growth) or all flock.

Layer feed has too much calcium for fragile young kidneys.

Feed layer to laying hens or about to lay pullets.

Brooding hens benefit from the higher protein and nutrients in chick start as they regain condition. It may be weeks before they lay again and need more calcium.

 

[swanny297]

Well first for us. We have 4 hens for eggs and no rooster and one decided to go broody. I found fertile eggs and put them under her Monday so far so good. We have 3 nesting boxes and I have been picking up the other eggs daily so I think I will leave her there for the duration. 5/15 will be 21 days we will see what happens.

 

[Siggie]

Hi all! I am somewhat of a newbie with chickens, I have had them a year and already I had 2 go broody. Together they hatched 12 chicks. I did not separate them so the chicks were staggered and now I have chicks from 3 days to almost 3 weeks old.

I had them secured in a caged area because I lost one of my first to the rooster stepping on it, I think. Well anyhow today I opened up the cage fully intending to leave them all out with the flock. The momma are both good at protecting them for the most part but there are a couple of hens that they did NOT attack when they pecked at the chicks? Should I rebuild the cage? I don't want to lose any chicks but the two broodies are so restless when they are cooped up in it?

They took all the chicks out in the run for about 2 hours and they all looked so happy...it's just that the one barred rock hen really pecked one of the chicks hard? I just don't know what to do? They do have a somewhat safe shelter area inside the coop that I constructed. It is enclosed on 3 sides but there is no door, just an opening where the broodies can protect the chicks but all can come and go. I just don't know if that's enough?

 

[Chicken5555]

When I went out to collect eggs I noticed that my black Ameraucana has a good sized bald spot on her underside. This is sudden, as I collect eggs daily and she didn't have it a couple days ago when I pulled eggs from under her. She squawks when I approach, but does not bite. Also, she has been in the nest all day and won't let any of the other hens near. I really hope this means she's broody. When my easter egger started to brood a few months ago she stayed on the nest for 3 nights then quit. My bantam OEG stayed on her nest for almost a week when she went broody. Keep your fingers crossed for me that my Black Ameraucana, Navi, is broody and will stay broody long enough to raise some babies!

 

[Chicken5555]

I do have a question though - is it ok for her to just eat the chicks' starter crumbles for now? She's not going to be laying for a while yet I assume. I don't know how to feed her adult food without the littles getting into it.

I'm interested to hear the grower crumble question input too. That's what I was planning on doing. My broody should hatch sunday or monday...

All of my chickens, from newborn to rooster, get chick starter/grower feed. I keep crushed oysters on the side and the hens eat it when they need it. I was told by a very experienced chicken keeper that layer feed has more calcium than a hen needs and it will make roosters sick. Good luck with your chicks!!

 

[Lady of McCamley]

When I went out to collect eggs I noticed that my black Ameraucana has a good sized bald spot on her underside. This is sudden, as I collect eggs daily and she didn't have it a couple days ago when I pulled eggs from under her. She squawks when I approach, but does not bite. Also, she has been in the nest all day and won't let any of the other hens near. I really hope this means she's broody. When my easter egger started to brood a few months ago she stayed on the nest for 3 nights then quit. My bantam OEG stayed on her nest for almost a week when she went broody. Keep your fingers crossed for me that my Black Ameraucana, Navi, is broody and will stay broody long enough to raise some babies!

Plucking the breast is a good sign she is serious. I don't generally get that unless they are going to settle into a good brood.

Good luck
LofMc