Hatching Under a Broody Hen

[sylviethecochin]

I make it a habit to interfere and look under because of a few issues that tend to crop up--a discarded shell over the shell so that the chick can't get out, for instance. So periodically, I reach under, lift the hen, and scoop out excess shells. My hens get clucky for their chicks, but not overly upset. Except for one silkie and one OEGB, they don't even peck at me.

Of course, I make a royal pain of myself during incubation, so by that point, they're probably just used to my antics. I'm terrible at following "the rules."

How's it going? Got a lot of peepers?

 

[MageofMist]

I make it a habit to interfere and look under because of a few issues that tend to crop up--a discarded shell over the shell so that the chick can't get out, for instance. So periodically, I reach under, lift the hen, and scoop out excess shells. My hens get clucky for their chicks, but not overly upset. Except for one silkie and one OEGB, they don't even peck at me.

Of course, I make a royal pain of myself during incubation, so by that point, they're probably just used to my antics. I'm terrible at following "the rules."

How's it going? Got a lot of peepers?

During the first time my hen went broody, I HAD to interfere or else she'd waste away on the nest as she refused to take breaks. I used a rabbit water bottle which she'd drink from as I held it for her as it dripped and I didn't want the nest getting wet, and I'd bring her pellets, scrambled egg and seeds. During the days she was too stubborn to drink from the bottle, I'd fill a bowl with a little water and put her favourite seeds in it, that way she'd drink to get to the seeds to eat them. Every 2-3 days I also took her off the nest so she'd poop, though of course on hatch day she decided to take a poop break herself.

Second time she went broody, pretty much 2 months later, the most I had to do was candle the eggs and remove any extra unmarked eggs that were laid as she was taking breaks as she should have for food, water and pooping. Though I still had to put the eggs in the incubator due to her leaving the nest to poop on hatch-day.

 

[Josh0625]

Ive learned that most of the time they don't need our help. They are born knowing what to do and broody hens know exactly how to take care of their chicks. Let momma do the work and sit back and watch nature.

 

[WVduckchick]

Ive learned that most of the time they don't need our help. They are born knowing what to do and broody hens know exactly how to take care of their chicks. Let momma do the work and sit back and watch nature.

If these were wild animals, I would agree with you. But chickens are almost totally dependent on us. Yes, their instincts tell them what to do, but if we don't provide the basic necessities, nature isn't going to provide it.

I think its a personal decision as to how much or how little we are involved with a broody. I had 34 broodies, just this calendar year. Most let me see what's going on, some even lift to show me! Others would just as soon rip my finger off! lol

 

[Josh0625]

If these were wild animals, I would agree with you. But chickens are almost totally dependent on us. Yes, their instincts tell them what to do, but if we don't provide the basic necessities, nature isn't going to provide it.

I think its a personal decision as to how much or how little we are involved with a broody. I had 34 broodies, just this calendar year. Most let me see what's going on, some even lift to show me! Others would just as soon rip my finger off! lol

I wasn't suggesting to completely ignore the process but to many people get to involved and manipulate the situation to much as if the hens don't know what to do

 

[WVduckchick]

I wasn't suggesting to completely ignore the process but to many people get to involved and manipulate the situation to much as if the hens don't know what to do

Yep, I agree with that. I really (really!) wanted to stuff the eggs back under that broody, in the pictures I posted earlier. I asked her why she wasn't sitting on them. She wouldn't answer me.
But she was experienced, so I trusted she knew what she was doing. It was the middle of the summer, plenty warm outside. So I let her handle it, and she hatched them all. I just monitored closely... every day. Ok, fine, every hour or so. LOL

I also caused 3 chicks to die. Had a broody in the coldest part of last year. Had her in my baby coop, and dummy me decided to add some heat. She left the eggs to go to the warmer spot. Most of the chicks made the journey with her (just a couple feet away, but up over a little 2" tall divider) 2 barely-hatched chicks died, the 3rd died in the middle of zipping. Painful lesson right there.

 

[Josh0625]

Yep, I agree with that. I really (really!) wanted to stuff the eggs back under that broody, in the pictures I posted earlier. I asked her why she wasn't sitting on them. She wouldn't answer me.
But she was experienced, so I trusted she knew what she was doing. It was the middle of the summer, plenty warm outside. So I let her handle it, and she hatched them all. I just monitored closely... every day. Ok, fine, every hour or so. LOL

I also caused 3 chicks to die. Had a broody in the coldest part of last year. Had her in my baby coop, and dummy me decided to add some heat. She left the eggs to go to the warmer spot. Most of the chicks made the journey with her (just a couple feet away, but up over a little 2" tall divider) 2 barely-hatched chicks died, the 3rd died in the middle of zipping. Painful lesson right there.

Ya know, I ask mine questions all the time and they look at me like I'm crazy. I also WANT to help and I also monitor closely especially the last couple days. I ma on day 19 in my incubator and I cant walk by without taking a peek

 

[Arya28]

Very interesting tips and stories, everyone! Keep them coming

Soooo so far, so good! The one that hatched yesterday is doing great! So far (as of a couple hours ago) we have 5 chicks hatched, and a BUNCH of eggs who have pipped and are unzipping! I think momma is doing an amazing job. She is taking care of them all really well, and even showing them to eat already! She hasn’t left the nest that we know of at all- we gave her food in front of her, and, we’ll just say she doesn’t get up to poop! So the ones that are hatching have no problem staying warm. She is a very sweet girl! She gets touchy if you reach near the eggs, but she lets us hold and pet the chicks!

We have been reaching under her to take the excess shells out to make more room (because there are a LOT of eggs lol). Right now she’s in a smaller box inside a big brooder. Here in a few minutes we are going to go out and carefully move her and the eggs out of the box, so the chicks have more room to run around if they want without crowding the ones who are hatching. And we are going to position the eggs so that they all have some room under her, to make sure they can all get out!

But so far, things are going really well. All the chicks seem really strong!

 

[WVduckchick]

Can't wait to see pics!

 

[gimmie birdies]

I have a broody sitting on 2 eggs one white leghorn egg and one little green frizzle egg, I tried to give her more, but she kept pushing one egg out and away from her, and she is very little and it is cold out 20 degrees. So I am giving her just the 2.

I put these in an incubator, they are slightly behind the eggs the hen is on, but since it is cold, I am guessing her eggs may be behind as well, and these may develop on time with the eggs she has. These are BCM, Leghorn and a frizzle. Mostly i am after the frizzle, hubby likes the leghorn though. I have a place for the hen to raise babies when they hatch.