Broody Pen Design?

[Branumdragon]

DUE TO HATCH TODAY!!! I heard that she'll stay on the nest for 36 hours after it hatches. She's currently in a dog crate on our dining room table. She made a fuss at first, but settled down nicely and seems content. We had to bring her in because we don't want her chick hatching in 20-below-freezing weather.

Oh, and we don't have a roo. (that's why we couldn't just let her keep the eggs she laid to hatch.)

It's weird... three weeks ago, it seemed ready to be summer...

She has proven to not be a very reliable brooder, so I've been thinking about purchasing a small, 3-6 egg incubator to incubate eggs in and stick under her when they're about to hatch if she does this again. Does anyone know where to get a good one?

 

[miquwid]

I was thinking about doing the same thing if one my Silkie girls went broody, I like the dog crate idea but I have a dog house that I could use it's really big and weather proof. Take some pictures soon!

 

[Branumdragon]

ADVICE NEEDED
I gave up. Egg not hatching. We went to the feed store and picked up an Australorp and a Rhode Island Red. (Live, 2-day-old chicks.) How do I put them under the hen safely? She pecks...

 

[miquwid]

This I don't know, but I would actually like to know myself I will check and see.

 

[Backyard Bob]

All i have read, was go out at night, and slip them under her using as little light as you can.

 

[Alaskan]

If she is a good broody, go out, sit down next to her, and when she settles back down slide the new chicks under her and watch. You can carry out the new chicks under your shirt so they won't be yelling their heads off.

A good Broodie will not care at all, but I would sit with her for 30 min to an hour and see how she does, every mama is different. I think that what is important is to stick them under her feathers before she sees them.

I once had a Broodie that was SO good! I was able to put babies under her whenever I wanted, of any age, even a week or so apart. (So 10 chicks and then 2 weeks later another few chicks). I did separate her for e first few weeks (but I tend to be super worried about babies). I never gave her babies at night, always during the day, and sometimes, when I had a box of babies, they would be yelling, which did upset her. But, as long as I tucked them under her, she would accept the chicks.

When I put the Boodie with her chicks with the adult flock, it was WONDERFUL! I had never had such a wonderful time introducing new chicks to an adult flock. That Broodie wouldn't let any hen get close to "her" babies until those Babies were almost full sized.

 

[Branumdragon]

Thanks. She's accepted them. I tried to get a picture of Red's little head sticking out, but I didn't get the camera in time.

 

[Branumdragon]

Does anyone have any ideas for names for a Rhode Island Red hen?
I thought I might name her Marsha, after the planet.
I also need a name for a black Australorp who looks like a penguin.

 

[Alaskan]

As soon as you say penguin I think of chilly willy......

But good red names are Comet, Star, Sunny, and Rose, but I like Marsha too.

Black names, ummm, I do like Chilly Willy, or just Willy, Cookie ( for a chocolate cookie with white nut spots).

OK, I can't think of any more. Good luck!

 

[miquwid]

Glad she accepted it! Not sure for the names what kind of personalities do they have?