How come my chicken won't get off the nest?! It's been a week!

[honda_DT]

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Nope, just chick starter. Momma does all the work.

Really?! that's interesting... I always thought that i needed special water containers and feeders, though I always knew that chickens managed on their own in the wilderness. I may have to look into that.

 

[farmdude]

That's what I'm thinking
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[emvickrey]

If you decide to let her hatch out some I suggest to let her sit on about 5 or 6 eggs. Some may not even hatch and you most likely won't have a lone chick. It will have a buddy

 

[emvickrey]

Quote:
Nope, just chick starter. Momma does all the work.

Really?! that's interesting... I always thought that i needed special water containers and feeders, though I always knew that chickens managed on their own in the wilderness. I may have to look into that.

You don't have to have them. As long as the chicks can get to the feeder and water they will be fine. I actually saw one of my silkies picking out the grains from the scratch grains and dropping them on the floor for her babies to eat because they couldn't get in the feeder. Although I provided them with their own food. When she ate from the big dish she shared with her kids. It was soo cute.

 

[honda_DT]

Quote:
Really?! that's interesting... I always thought that i needed special water containers and feeders, though I always knew that chickens managed on their own in the wilderness. I may have to look into that.

You don't have to have them. As long as the chicks can get to the feeder and water they will be fine. I actually saw one of my silkies picking out the grains from the scratch grains and dropping them on the floor for her babies to eat because they couldn't get in the feeder. Although I provided them with their own food. When she ate from the big dish she shared with her kids. It was soo cute.

Cool! I'll see what I can do.

 

[Patricia Jane]

If you do let her hatch out make sure you have a small waterer for the babies, or put pebbles in the dish part. They can drown. Good luck. Hope you let her hatch. You will get a lot of enjoyment, not to mention how proud mama will be. I didn't let mine hatch but she sat on wooden eggs for 21 days then I placed day old chicks under her and she took to them like they were hers.

 

[darkmatter]

You don't want to miss out on having a broody hatch your own eggs!

 

[emvickrey]

I've completely switched chicks on hens and they don't seem to tell the difference. I usually sell them pretty quick but I hate to let her hatch them out and take care of them for a few days or a week then snatch them up from her. Just seems cruel to me so I usually pick out a few to let the hen keep.

 

[emvickrey]

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I know,it's so adorable to watch mamma hen with her chicks. When I saw my white silkie hen picking out the grains from the scratch grain dish and dropping them on the floor for her babies my heart turned to pudding. It was so cute. Although they had their own food she was sharing with them since they couldn't jump in the dish. I use a large round metal pan in that pen and the sides are taller than the chicks are. Thats why I provide them with their own feeder but they use the gallon waterer. I just set it on the floor. Mamma didn't let them get in it so I didn't put any rocks in it. They did just fine. If they where quail or smaller chicks I would have.

But watch out. It's addictive. I always seem to have chicks around. I said a few months ago I was turning off my bator. I still have 2 running. lol And it's almost time for my winter hatching for the spring sales. I also pick out what I want to keep.

 

[sheaviance1]

Letting my broody hatch has been one of the most rewarding parts of raising chickens for me. I love watching the momma interact with her chicks, and the way she protects them from the rest of the flock has been a joy to watch. My momma hen was chasing a bug one evening, and when she caught it, she starting calling loudly to her chicks to call them over to the bug and eat it. I love that call when she has found a tasty morsel for them.

I tried to break both of my broodies, and it didn't work for me. I put them in a wire cage, they went right back to brooding, i bathed them in cool water, they went right back to brooding, i put ice cubes in the nest, they thanked me for cooling them off and went right back to brooding. The only think that broke these ladies was pipping and zipping of the eggs under them. I hand fed and watered them while they were brooding. After the chicks hatched, they let me handle them. It was great!