Lockdown? Does it happen in the wild?

[WIchickMama]

We are at day 18 with my broody! 6 live and active eggs. My question is, do broody hens go into a lockdown? I am needing to add a slight lip to the nesting box she is in (there is one there but it isn't super high) and didn't know if I should do it today on day 18 or not? I am not sure if she will try and get down or not in the next couple days and don't want to add any extra stress. She has been pretty good during the process, growling sometimes at me but always at her coop mates, but yesterday and this morning she was definitely puffed up and growling at me, so I hope that means we are getting close.

 

[azygous]

The broody absolutely does hear her chicks getting ready for their grand entrance. She likely is communicating to them that she is there waiting for them. The hatching process does require specific humidity and temperature, so she won't be going anywhere while the chicks are hatching.

 

[aart]

I am needing to add a slight lip to the nesting box she is in (there is one there but it isn't super high) and didn't know if I should do it today on day 18 or not?

Might be risky.
Have you been checking under her for extra eggs...does she tolerate it??
If you can do it quickly, it might be OK.

 

[WIchickMama]

Might be risky.
Have you been checking under her for extra eggs...does she tolerate it??
If you can do it quickly, it might be OK.

She has been allowing me to check under for eggs. She is "my chicken" out of all my ladies, she always lets us (my daughter and I) hold her, check her over, cut her nails without wiggling and such.

I did get my DH to add the lip yesterday, so she has a good 3-4 inches extra now to keep those chicks in and she got back on the nest after her evening bath and quick drink/eat/poop

Today is day 19, I caged her in today so no one bothers her when they are laying and gave her a bit of water just in case she needs a drink. Got the temp cage made for the floor once they come and nesting box in place need to wash and sanitize waterers and feeders today.

Another question, I noticed that the chick starter at the feed store is the same size as crumbles (really just pellets in pieces) is this normal? I use All Flock and if that is the case I will just buy the crumbles instead of the pellets today at the feed store.

Getting super excited and nervous

 

[Kiki]

She has been allowing me to check under for eggs. She is "my chicken" out of all my ladies, she always lets us (my daughter and I) hold her, check her over, cut her nails without wiggling and such.

I did get my DH to add the lip yesterday, so she has a good 3-4 inches extra now to keep those chicks in and she got back on the nest after her evening bath and quick drink/eat/poop

Today is day 19, I caged her in today so no one bothers her when they are laying and gave her a bit of water just in case she needs a drink. Got the temp cage made for the floor once they come and nesting box in place need to wash and sanitize waterers and feeders today.

Another question, I noticed that the chick starter at the feed store is the same size as crumbles (really just pellets in pieces) is this normal? I use All Flock and if that is the case I will just buy the crumbles instead of the pellets today at the feed store.

Getting super excited and nervous

Yes the crumbled type feed is just broken pellets. Just make sure you aren't buying layer type crumble. All flock and Chick feed/starter are almost the exact same thing. 'Layer' type is not.

 

[WIchickMama]

Yes the crumbled type feed is just broken pellets. Just make sure you aren't buying layer type crumble. All flock and Chick feed/starter are almost the exact same thing. 'Layer' type is not.

Thank you, and I don't buy Layer feed just All Flock at our house so we should be good but thank you for the reminder

 

[aart]

Another question, I noticed that the chick starter at the feed store is the same size as crumbles (really just pellets in pieces) is this normal? I use All Flock and if that is the case I will just buy the crumbles instead of the pellets today at the feed store.

I use Flock Raiser crumbles for all my birds...from Hatch to Harvest.
I'll run it thru the blender for the chicks so the crumbles are not as big.

 

[WIchickMama]

I use Flock Raiser crumbles for all my birds...from Hatch to Harvest.
I'll run it thru the blender for the chicks so the crumbles are not as big.

is running it through the blender necessary or just a precaution? I think I have an old coffee grinder somewhere I can pull out.

 

[Mrs. K]

Just so you know, I too have created perfect nests on the floor for a new broody and chicks. Don't know what I do wrong, but I have never had a broody use one. Anymore, I just clean out the coop and provide fresh bedding.

My nests are about 3 feet off the floor and my broody hens have never sat longer than 12-14 hours. At that time, they leave the nest, coax the chicks to follow them, and create a new nest on the floor (never where I think would be a good idea). Within two days, she will have them outside (but my coop is shed like).

Her growling at the others is a good sign, they are already giving her a wide berth. That is in preparation of her bringing out the chicks. You want to let that happen as soon as she wants to do it.

Don't interfere too much, pretty much let her do what she wants. They know more about being a chicken than I do.

Mrs K

 

[Auntiejessi3]

is running it through the blender necessary or just a precaution? I think I have an old coffee grinder somewhere I can pull out.

I had a broody hatch chicks 4 weeks ago and didn't do anything with the food (flock raiser crumbles) she broke them up and fed them to the chicks. The only thing I did was set out a chick waterer (my waterers are horizontal nipples) she will do all the work for you. Good luck on your hatch, it is very exciting!