First time Broody BO Sitting on Nest of 14 Eggs - 1 Week to go!

[BoiseChik]

Ok, I'm really excited! I just found a lady who is going to have day old chicks available in about two weeks! I think I will definitely get a few to add to the brood, but just in case there is no brood --if no eggs hatch, then we will have chicks either way! She breeds orpingtons, splash, blue, lavendar, partridge, black and legbars! I hadn't even heard of these other kinds of orpingtons and can't believe how gorgeous they are! (Our broody Mom is a buff orpington.)
So, here's another question...how many chicks can I get away with in one brood? (nervous laugh) I want to do as many chicks as I can...

 

[GitaBooks]

Mother's can take care of a large number of chicks, around 20 or even more, as long as the chicks have a warm place to go, as she may not be able to cover them all without them injuring one another. You could give them a heat light that they could go under if they needed.

That sounds awesome. I love all those cool, rare colors. Best of luck!

 

[KayTee]

It sounds great, but don't forget that when you are hatching chicks, nature and genetics tend towards a 50:50 mix of boys and girls. Do you have a plan for 10 or more roosters? They are not always easy to sell or give away, it dépends where you are. Freezer camp may be your only option (as long as you are prepared to kill, process and eat them). I'm not trying to bring you down, just being practical.

 

[BoiseChik]

Yes I understand. Either we will harvest the cockerels or there are a few local avenues where we can sell or donate chickens for food. I definitely won't keep a bunch of roosters, or any for that matter, unless one of them happens to be 'crow-less.' Our last batch of chicks had three roosters in it and one of them was totally silent all the way to adulthood.
I'm hoping to increase my potential number of pullets, so I know I'm also increasing the number of cockerels, but I know what to do with them.

 

[KayTee]

It sounds like you're completely ready - now all you have to do is wait another 13 days for your chicks to hatch, and that's probably the hardest part of all!

On my first hatch I was awful for the last week - one moment I thought that nothing would hatch, the next I was just sitting next to the nest, listening for peeping and scratching sounds! In the end all but one hatched overnight, and when I went in the following morning there were fluffy bundles peeping out from under the hen! The last one had pipped but not zipped, so I helped her out a bit - just opened up the top of the shell, and an hour or so later she was out.

All the best for your hatch - please let us know how you get on.

PS - photos of all those great breeds would be wonderful - you can never have enough pictures of cute chicks!

 

[BoiseChik]

Well, here's a potential conflict. I am afraid that we have travel plans putting us out of town on day 22, 23, and 24 of the eggs development. I know the time to hatch is about 21 days, but I hate to be out of town right after they hatched or during the hatching time. I understand that 'nature will take its course' but I wonder if this is serious enough to change my plans.
I also have some good news pertaining to the likelyhood of the eggs hatching... the friend who gave me the fertilized eggs, had eight eggs accidently left in her coop for 4 days with a hen sitting on them. When they were brought in to be used in the kitchen, she candled them to see if there were developing, saw nothing (like I did) and then proceeded to crack them open, and 6 of the 8 were developing already! That might be silly, but I think this bodes well for our eggs!
Another question I had, was when is the optimal time to introduce any 'extra day old chicks' to her group of eggs/newly hatched chicks. In other words, should I add the new ones before, during or after her eggs have (or haven't) hatched?
Another issue, is relating to the broody BO, Mama hen... I've been getting her off the nest briefly every day to be outside, stretch her legs, go potty etc. The other hens have been running after her and aggresively pecking her once or twice. This wasn't the case before she went broody. I wonder why they would do that.

 

[GitaBooks]

Introducing day-olds should be done after most of the chicks hatch. It should be evening, though it could be any time. Slip one or two chicks under at a time so she can't see them but bonds to their sound. Her answering calls will imprint on the new chicks. If her eggs don't hatch, slip the chicks under her in the evening and she should take right to them.
My broodies tend to be picked-on because their position in the flock tends to change. My broody hens get pecked, but generally its nothing bad, especially if they can get away.

 

[KayTee]

GitaBooks has it spot on for introducing chicks and the reason your hen is being pecked. By staying on the nest most of the day and not mixing with the flock she is effectively putting herself at the bottom of the pecking order. Once she is out with her chicks she will reestablish herself in the order again.

With regard to your absence, if you cannot avoid going away then you need to be certain that there is enough food and water available for 3 days and that there is no risk of the chicks falling in a deep waterer and drowning. They are unsteady on their feet for the first few days, and even though they don't need to eat and drink for 2-3 days after hatching, they will do if food is available. Only provide chick crumbs - the extra protein will be good for the mama hen.
As you say, they will probably be fine without you - in nature they would have no choice - but that won't stop you worrying whilst you are away!

 

[BoiseChik]

Hello Again, I have another question about moving the nest to the ground... Did you literally mean a cardboard box for the nest? I'm assuming a box laying on its side, and about how large? Is this to help the hen feel safe? She is in a section of the coop that is blocked off just for her, so there won't be any other hens around. I also bought chick starter and a low shallow bowl for water today. You had mentioned, 'chick mash.' Is that just chick starter with water added to form a mash? Is straw good for the floor?
Lastly, the eggs are all different breeds, should I expect them to hatch at different times, or all right around day 21?
I feel like a nervous first time Mom. ;-D

 

[GitaBooks]

I move my hens into crates. A crate left open is still a nice box for them. You could also use a cardboard box on its side with some hay/straw and some chick food and water near the box. The box should be about two or three times the size of a nest box to allow enough room for them to grow. It should be placed in a secure corner.
Chick starter can be sued, as can chick mash (which I think is how it is ground).

Eggs can all hatch at the same time, however, bantams sometimes hatch on day 19 instead of day 21. I find that good hatches are when they all hatch with in 24 hours. Sometimes eggs that were kept warmer hatch sooner than eggs that may have cooled for an hour or so during incubation.

My hen just hatched a chick yesterday! Her other four eggs were all dead.

However, I'm glad she had a chick! Best of luck!