My broody hen hatched two eggs, what’s next.

[Tillie43]

My Buff Orpington was sitting on four eggs in an elevated nest box. I was able to move her to a metal dog crate before two hatched yesterday. There are two more she is sitting on. The only spot I could put the crate is on a shelf in the run. I’m unsure what to do not. She will need to come out but will she wait for the other two eggs to hatch? How long do I wait to see if the other eggs hatch? How will I know when she is ready to come out with the chicks so I can move the crate down? I do have food and water in the crate for Mom and babies. Hatching chicks is all new to me so I hope these questions aren’t dumb. I’m attaching photo of where I have the crate . Any response will be greatly appreciated.

 

[Aapomp831]

There’s no need to do that. Put the crate on the ground in the coop, open the door and let her come and go and do her thing. She can raise them right with the rest of the flock; she will protect them and mother them and do the work. The chicks that just hatched don’t need food and water yet, so I would wait and see if the others hatch within the next day or so. Mom knows when the chicks need to leave the nest and start eating and drinking. Just switch your whole flock to chick starter, offer oyster shells on the side for your layers and you’re all set! Or… if your flock is eating All Flock, give that to everyone and continue to offer the oyster shell on the side. Good luck!

 

[CluckerFamily]

When you notice momma not sitting on the eggs anymore but up with the chicks, she is done sitting. She may also push the eggs to the side of the crate.

 

[Tillie43]

There’s no need to do that. Put the crate on the ground in the coop, open the door and let her come and go and do her thing. She can raise them right with the rest of the flock; she will protect them and mother them and do the work. The chicks that just hatched don’t need food and water yet, so I would wait and see if the others hatch within the next day or so. Mom knows when the chicks need to leave the nest and start eating and drinking. Just switch your whole flock to chick starter, offer oyster shells on the side for your layers and you’re all set! Or… if your flock is eating All Flock, give that to everyone and continue to offer the oyster shell on the side. Good luck!

Thanks. I have hens that are curious and keep going to the crate. I assume mom will keep the curious away.

 

[CluckerFamily]

You can allow her to mingle with the flock or keep her in the crate for a little bit. Let her mingle when you are comfortable.

 

[Tillie43]

You can allow her to mingle with the flock or keep her in the crate for a little bit. Let her mingle when you are comfortable.

This is so different from raising my first chicks I bought from TSC and having to use the heat lamp. I have a way of over-thinking situations instead of going with the flow.

 

[Iluveggers]

After reading all these posts about broody hens, I’m kinda hoping one of the sexed chicks I get next week will be male & one of my hens will go broody!

 

[Aapomp831]

After reading all these posts about broody hens, I’m kinda hoping one of the sexed chicks I get next week will be male & one of my hens will go broody!

They don’t need a male to go broody - they will do that regardless IF nature called. They’re unaware of whether their eggs are fertile or not.

 

[Chickassan]

Be careful what you wish for, broody hens are an experience lol!

After reading all these posts about broody hens, I’m kinda hoping one of the sexed chicks I get next week will be male & one of my hens will go broody!

 

[Iluveggers]

They don’t need a male to go broody - they will do that regardless IF nature called. They’re unaware of whether their eggs are fertile or not.

I know, but if I have a roo she can actually HATCH her eggs!