Thanks for the broody info... our first time, I don't know if Gracie ever did this before or not because the lady we got her from didn't either. We will check for the pipping Saturday (our day 21) so we have an idea of how long to let her sit after the first hatches...
Oh, I guess I was unclear.
Check for chicks from a distance, they will peek out once in awhile under a wing etc!!
Disturbing a broody hen in that critical "lockdown" time esp. if her first chick has hatched could upset her to the point she will abandon the other eggs
(trying to save her "threatened" live chick).
Basically right at the end there, they kinda "space-out" or go into some almost hybernation like state so they can sit there w/o even food or water for 24-72 or so hrs while the chicks hatch at their own pace. You don't want to mess w/ the broody during that time, the first chicks will be fine up to that 72 hr point, they will snuggle in w/ mama broody hen and call to those trying to hatch.
The only issue is when it gets to around 72 hrs
if there are unhatched eggs, b/c then those first chicks (now 72 hrs old) really need a drink, and mama broody hen has to choose between the live chicks needing water, and any eggs not yet hatched which won't make it w/o hen or incubator heat. So for at least that first 24-36-48 hrs when the chicks are due give her as much space as you can stand. A couple times when I got worried b/c there were 36+ hr old chicks in August heat and broody hen was zoned on eggs I slipped a tiny water w/ pebbles dish close enough to her that she could peck it and thereby teach the older chicks to get a drink w/o moving off the unhatched eggs. It all kinda depends on your broody & her personality, but if come 72 hrs she has both chicks AND eggs she can get really distressed trying to decide what to do, so then you should jump in and make the choice for her (you can take the unhatched eggs and candle at that point & incubate if any are still alive). Be advised even the nicest hen will peck at your hand to protect her chick/eggs during this time, esp. if she is stressed due to a conflict between thristy chicks & unhatched eggs.
Mostly just trust Gracie, if they have the instinct to go broody, and really sit those eggs this far (2 weeks plus) they almost always make it through hatching the viable eggs if not messed w/.
I can't wait to see pictures of her strutting around w/ her clutch, broody hens are so proud and it is cute as can be to watch them interact.
BTW- thanks for the photos of your setup, that broody pen w/ the fold away for cleaning top&wall is great!
I'm going to look into getting some runner duck eggs next, because I've always liked ducks and everyone in my family wants some. The plan is: I get a lot more eggs than I need and the extra chicks or ducklings that hatch get distributed amongst the different households. Solid plan, eh?
