Broody hens - lousy mothers

[DukesDucks]

My daughter has a mixed flock of chickens that I help with. Mixed breed, various ages, usually good layers. Several of the hens are broody and spending their time in nesting boxes with a variety of eggs. We have tried separating a hen with her eggs into a mini-coop with her eggs. The problem is that they are lousy mothers. Regardless of being in the mini-coop or in a nesting box, the hens have no interest in any hatched chicks. They stay on the eggs, and unless we find them in time, the chicks don't make it. Suggests/help please.

 

[chickenenthusiasts5698]

I’ve never had good luck with hens hatching chicks. I’ve a.ways incubated and raised them myself. The hens either get a very poor hatch rate or they end up killing the chicks.

 

[JacinLarkwell]

Just like people, not every hen that hatches eggs will be a good mother.

 

[Ridgerunner]

Regardless of being in the mini-coop or in a nesting box, the hens have no interest in any hatched chicks. They stay on the eggs, and unless we find them in time, the chicks don't make it.

I've never had that problem and I usually have three or four broody hens hatch out each year. I let mine hatch with the flock. I pretty much leave everything up to the broody, I just check under her for new eggs each day after the others have laid. I let the broody hens decide when to bring the chicks off the nest. Sometimes that is within 24 hours of the first one hatching, sometimes she waits over three full days. The only thing I do is make sure there is food and water on the coop floor when she brings them off. I let her decide when she takes them outside.

Sounds like you have had this problem more than once, with different hens, and in different circumstances. Can you tell us about your procedures, what do you do. And what do the nests and facilities look like. A photo would be great. Maybe someone can spot something that might help.

 

[CindyinSD]

They do benefit greatly from private quarters but that might not work for all. I have some Partridge Cochins I got for broodies. They'll sit, but they can't seem to remember which nest they've chosen, or even whether there ought to be eggs in it. If I gave them a broody coop they'd probably remember to sit on their nest, but I wouldn't trust them raising chicks. Maybe they're just too young. Maybe next year.

I have a first-year mom (2 year-old) Columbian Wyandotte with three chicks who's doing well so far. I did have to remove an egg that wasn't going to hatch. As long as they're confined and mama keeps them warm and doesn't attack them, you can let the remaining eggs stay up to three days. After that, someone (you or mom) needs to care for the babies. They don't need to eat or drink for three days after hatching, as they've just absorbed their yolk.

If eggs remain longer, you need to take them and either incubate or discard them. I would discard. Late hatchers tend not to thrive.

I have Buckeyes also, one of whom hatched five chicks in a broody coop. She's a very good mama and the same age as the Cochins, but all the Buckeyes seem much more level-headed in general than the Cochins.

It just depends on the hen. If you can't break her from being broody, and she's got a couple of years on her and still fails in the chick raising dept., about all you can do is use her as an incubator only, keep her as a pet or have her for dinner.

Hens are often great mamas, but not all hens. Once you get a good one, take good care of her. She can be a real treasure for you.

 

[DukesDucks]

Thank you for the great suggestions. I have ducks who nest on the floor, and the females tend to share sitting duties and protecting the young. Went and took a critical look at my daughter's the set-up. Realized first issue is that the nesting boxes are stacked but nothing prevents a chick from falling out to the floor. Easily fixed by adding a lip to the box. Her chickens are share nesting boxes. I think it would be a good idea to add a bigger private space in the coop for the broody hens to share. Probably something temporary, used only during chick season.
I mark my duck eggs and check every day for new ones which I remove. Only excuse why I wasn't doing that with the chickens is that it hurts more to be pecked by a chicken than a duck. lol
Thanks again. BYC is awesome.

 

[CindyinSD]

The nesting box... a lip might keep a chick from falling out for a couple minutes. They need to be on the ground or have a "cage door."

 

[JacinLarkwell]

Thank you for the great suggestions. I have ducks who nest on the floor, and the females tend to share sitting duties and protecting the young. Went and took a critical look at my daughter's the set-up. Realized first issue is that the nesting boxes are stacked but nothing prevents a chick from falling out to the floor. Easily fixed by adding a lip to the box. Her chickens are share nesting boxes. I think it would be a good idea to add a bigger private space in the coop for the broody hens to share. Probably something temporary, used only during chick season.
I mark my duck eggs and check every day for new ones which I remove. Only excuse why I wasn't doing that with the chickens is that it hurts more to be pecked by a chicken than a duck. lol
Thanks again. BYC is awesome.

I beg to differ . My ducks used to hURt when they were brooding and grabbed me

 

[CindyinSD]

I beg to differ . My ducks used to hURt when they were brooding and grabbed me

Oh no kidding! I had to treat a little drake with eye problems. I learned real quick that gloves were a necessity.

I have yet to experience a hen pecking me, though. All the broody ones have been sweet & docile (to me), but I know some peeps have mean 'uns. One lady here said she wouldn't allow a hen to brood unless it was docile enough to tuck under her arm while she refreshed nesting materials, checked on the eggs, etc.

 

[JacinLarkwell]

Oh no kidding! I had to treat a little drake with eye problems. I learned real quick that gloves were a necessity.

I have yet to experience a hen pecking me, though. All the broody ones have been sweet & docile (to me), but I know some peeps have mean 'uns. One lady here said she wouldn't allow a hen to brood unless it was docile enough to tuck under her arm while she refreshed nesting materials, checked on the eggs, etc.

In my experience, hens peck and maybe grab like a pinky if they're really mean, but sucks grab and grind and those ridges in their bills don't make that fun at all.


I wish I could be picky enough t to do that. If a hen stays broody, I celebrate because they hardly go broody besides my pheonix