Hatching Under a Broody Hen

[WVduckchick]

If she gets up to take care of chicks thus abandoning eggs,
put any remaining eggs in the bator after candling.

x2!

She gets up very occasionally to eat or drink- and then gets right back on them as of right now. If she seems to be staying off for too long, to take care of the chicks, like you said, we will definitely be moving them. We don’t want them to get too cool. She is on them now though a lot, because she’s keeping the chicks under her a lot too.

That's exactly what I'd do too. Some will sit forever, some get up quickly. but if you have them in a nice enclosure alone, she may sit longer, but she still won't ignore the chicks. I'm happy for you and this bunch!

 

[Arya28]

x2!



That's exactly what I'd do too. Some will sit forever, some get up quickly. but if you have them in a nice enclosure alone, she may sit longer, but she still won't ignore the chicks. I'm happy for you and this bunch!

Thank you! I will definitely update with how it goes It's been pretty awesome watching all of this so far!

 

[Ravynscroft]

x2!



That's exactly what I'd do too. Some will sit forever, some get up quickly. but if you have them in a nice enclosure alone, she may sit longer, but she still won't ignore the chicks. I'm happy for you and this bunch!

X3!

As long as chicks have access to food and water, keep returning to mom to warm up, there's no harm in letting her finish... she'll let you know if she's done...

Everyone does what works for them... and the broody... I have some I can handle throughout the entire time... some I might lose a finger if I try to get to close... and even have one that adopted chicks for an entire week that were hatched in an incubator... also watched one hatch her entire clutch standing up!

There is no 'one true way', and they'll teach you that as you go...

Congrats on an already successful hatch!

 

[Arya28]

X3!

As long as chicks have access to food and water, keep returning to mom to warm up, there's no harm in letting her finish... she'll let you know if she's done...

Everyone does what works for them... and the broody... I have some I can handle throughout the entire time... some I might lose a finger if I try to get to close... and even have one that adopted chicks for an entire week that were hatched in an incubator... also watched one hatch her entire clutch standing up!

There is no 'one true way', and they'll teach you that as you go...

Congrats on an already successful hatch!

Thank you She really is being super friendly, and I love that she lets us pet her babies! I knew there was a chance she might not. And she lets us pick them up, but if she thinks we take them too far from her she will get off the eggs and start freaking out. So, we just don't take them away from her. I will say, the one day when we picked her up off the eggs to pull a shell out quickly, when we put her down she didn't get situated again until she checked the whole entire brooder and counted her babies!

 

[Ravynscroft]

Thank you She really is being super friendly, and I love that she lets us pet her babies! I knew there was a chance she might not. And she lets us pick them up, but if she thinks we take them too far from her she will get off the eggs and start freaking out. So, we just don't take them away from her. I will say, the one day when we picked her up off the eggs to pull a shell out quickly, when we put her down she didn't get situated again until she checked the whole entire brooder and counted her babies!

She sounds like a great broody and mama! You're doing great with her!

 

[Arya28]

She sounds like a great broody and mama! You're doing great with her!

Thank you! She is doing fabulously and it’s crazy to me since Spitzhaubens don’t generally ever go broody!

 

[stephcraig78]

Reading about all of you that have babies hatching has me so anxious and excited. Our little silkie has been so gentle and great with ya checking the eggs. We take them out from under her one by one and she just does this cute little purr or maybe a growling sound. Hard to describe. A very low bawwwkkk sound. And as we set each egg back in nest she quickly uses her beak to pull it back under her wings and belly. Very sweet. Kids are absolutely fascinated with the whole thing. Our youngest is 4 and he loves to watch them moving in the eggs. He understands that they are baby chicks and is so gentle as her pets the hen and tells her it’s ok. Adorable. Gonna record him next time we candle. Didn’t get to tonight but will tomorrow for sure. Want to eliminate the ones that look like they have stopped developing. So happy for you all!! Good luck!!!

 

[aart]

I wouldn't think that a broody would get off the nest at all if there was peeping, pipping, or zipping going on in there??
Don't they know about shrink wrapping?!
But I've only let one broody set, so no real experience here.

 

[Ravynscroft]

I wouldn't think that a broody would get off the nest at all if there was peeping, pipping, or zipping going on in there??
Don't they know about shrink wrapping?!
But I've only let one broody set, so no real experience here.

I think mine heard about all the 'rules' and made a concerted effort determined to break every single one!
I had a pair of Calls 'assist' their own hatches and a pair with clutches a week apart combine them and raise them together... I'd never have believed that possible if I didn't see it myself!

 

[Sublight]

The best reply I can give is this.
Step 1: Give her close/easy access to both food and water.
Step 2: Make sure she is protected from rats, etc. Separate from other chickens.
Step 3: Enjoy the bitties. They are fun!

My hen just abandoned her chicks (I think), and it was a lot of fun. The chicks are so friendly, I think its due to being raised by a silkie. They will freak out at first. Then theyt get really tame. Scratch wins the babies over fairly quickly. Now when I feed them, the bitties stand on my shoes while I try to fill up their feed.