Broody hen

[Carters Chick House]

Ive had hens hatch eggs in the nest, on the floor ,and in a temporary enclosure without too many problems. Some of my broody hens are super aggressive, others more relaxed. I keep them in the coop with the flock. Im still learning and by no means an expert.

 

[Carters Chick House]

Ive moved my hen. Have had no problem with abandonment thus far but nothing is set in stone.

 

[Mel35]

Ive had hens hatch eggs in the nest, on the floor ,and in a temporary enclosure without too many problems. Some of my broody hens are super aggressive, others more relaxed. I keep them in the coop with the flock. Im still learning and by no means an expert.

Hi Carters Chick House,

Yes, my hen was super aggressive during the time but she is normally a very calm hen, just sticks to herself roaming around but when it came to her eggs she was incredibly protective. I didn't end up moving her, I just let nature takes its course .. The odds didn't work out very well for her though, she only ended up with one chick but my god he is CUTE and mamma is very chuffed with her little offspring

 

[Mel35]

Horse bedding pellets are 100% compressed pine. We've used them on the coop floor since we started raising chickens again 8 years ago. We've started using them in the brooders this spring. Gamer changer there!

I started putting those in the nest boxes that they perch in front of so I didn't have to clean them so often. (Silkies like wide perches.) Then I found out they were using those two over the other five with straw in them to lay their eggs. No, they don't touch them, just scratch them around saving me the job of that. The pellets dry out the poops, so eliminates smells and humidity. I just stir them now and then if I see the poop building up, or use a little shovel and take out the dry poops. On the floor we do nothing, just change them yearly, in the spring.

Hi Debbie,

This is so good to know, I have never heard of horse pellets I will have to look them up on google and see if they would be something I could use here. I am always looking for ways to make the coop cleaner of poop ..

 

[Debbie292d]

Hi Debbie,

This is so good to know, I have never heard of horse pellets I will have to look them up on google and see if they would be something I could use here. I am always looking for ways to make the coop cleaner of poop ..

Where do you live? In the U.S., every farm store sells them.

If not, look for: Horse bedding pellets, 100% pine. Most come in a 40# bag.

 

[Mel35]

Where do you live? In the U.S., every farm store sells them.

If not, look for: Horse bedding pellets, 100% pine. Most come in a 40# bag.

I live in Aus. But I am sure my local co-op will have them. Or maybe we know them as something else and someone will be able to point me in the right direction

 

[Carters Chick House]

Hi Carters Chick House,

Yes, my hen was super aggressive during the time but she is normally a very calm hen, just sticks to herself roaming around but when it came to her eggs she was incredibly protective. I didn't end up moving her, I just let nature takes its course .. The odds didn't work out very well for her though, she only ended up with one chick but my god he is CUTE and mamma is very chuffed with her little offspring .

 

[Carters Chick House]

Having one chick to care for sounds fun. I love the way they interact with each other. Soon the chick will be part of the flock. Post pictures when you can.

 

[Mel35]

Having one chick to care for sounds fun. I love the way they interact with each other. Soon the chick will be part of the flock. Post pictures when you can.

Yes it definitely looks more fun. Can't imagine what it would have been like had she have had all 11 hatch. It's nice to watch them go about the yard and mumma teaching baby everything he or she will need to know. I definitely will, when I can get close enough. Mamma is VERY protective. You only have to walk in her direction and she will let you know

 

[Carters Chick House]

Yes it definitely looks more fun. Can't imagine what it would have been like had she have had all 11 hatch. It's nice to watch them go about the yard and mumma teaching baby everything he or she will need to know. I definitely will, when I can get close enough. Mamma is VERY protective. You only have to walk in her direction and she will let you know

I had one that acted the same. Now my other hen hatched 9 chicks. She is sweet. I can handle her chicks without incident. Have fun!!