broody mama has her babies. :)

[calamtykel]

I have a broody Buff who hasn't left the nest in a couple of weeks. She's been sitting on golf balls and eggs....

Got six babies from Tractor supply and snuck them under her in the evening. We're just amazed at this whole process. Immediately she puffed way up and they burrowed under her. She makes these little clucking sounds that we never heard before, "talking" to them when they're wandering around. For the most part, she keeps them in one corner of the coop; the other chickens don't seem interested in them. They wander around and she follows them everywhere- it is so funny! the other day they got a little too far away in a corner and she called to them, eventually gave up and went over and plopped down on the six of them. When it is chilly, they burrow underneath - in the morning when it's still cold, you can see their little heads peeking out from underneath and disappearing again. They'll run out and eat and drink real fast when it's still cold, and then disappear again back into the nesting box.

I know if you've had a hen mom before, this is probably old stuff, but after raising only chicks in brooders the past couple of years, we think this whole thing is just so amazing!

 

[Beekercat]

I can't wait to get a broody hen! I'd love to see some pictures.

 

[Sequin]

Oooo - that sounds Darling!!!! You should take a little video or pictures if you can. I can't wait to see our own broody mama hatch some eggs and have little chicks of her own. I'm gonna be over run with chicks this year!! LOL - ask me if I mind...

 

[fishermans wife]

We just put eggs under two broody hens yesterday! Our first time ever to hatch anything!!! I can hardly wait to see the fuzzy butts! Sounds like so much fun!

 

[goldnchocolate]

Quote:
Nope---I don't think it will ever get old

Don't you just love to hear the way the hen talks to her chicks

I have a hen that hatched 3 chicks around a week ago and I still go out just to look at them and take pictures. Do you have any pictures of your hen with her chicks?

 

[SkyWarrior]

That's awesome.

I found my Ameraucana chicks are broody. I got them at 5 weeks and they took the young chicks beneath them, spreading their wings and clucking sweetly to them. Now, at 9 weeks they're caring for the chicks and the turkeys. It's really amazing to watch.