My first 4 broodies (pics)

[jtbrown]

My first four broodies, look at them all so serious. I put eggs under them on May 29th I believe.

Note the golden sebright on far right beside the EE. I didn't think they were the broody type, but she is so in on it. I worry about her, she has gotten so thin. I scrambled some eggs for her and she ate well last night. I hope they hatch something.

I know you understand if you are on this thread, but I need another chick like I need another hole in the head, but oh well, I didn't make them broody, who am I to stop them!?

 

[brahmabreeder]

I would recommend separating the two that are in the same nesting box. There is a chance that once the chicks hatch the moms will kill them trying to protect them. Also make sure the boxes won't allow the chicks to flop out when they hatch. They look fine but just thought I should tell you.

 

[cmfarm]

Aw! The 2 together look so cute.

 

[jtbrown]

I would like to separate the two. As soon as I do they are like magnets back together again. I tried several times. The sebright had a best friend brahma girl that we lost in a fox attack. She bonded with this EE and those two groups usually don't even mix. My bantums were a month older than my EE and they really never mix up, my EE are kind of standoffish! Oh, well.

Maybe I will put sebright in a rabbit cage (unoccupied) this week. Her confinement is 21 days next Wednesday. If I give each hen 2 eggs it would work with a few extra (10 total) but what happens if no hatching? Unfortunately we are taking a 4 day trip to D.C Thursday. I am so kicking myself.

Our poor pet sitter. My husband says hens have been hatching eggs for a millennia so he thinks they won't need me, but what if they do?

Edited to add - thanks for any and all suggestions - I feel so silly even trying this, I bought the eggs locally off craigs list since we didn't have any rooster right now to spruce up our eggs:/. I am so clueless, but my hubby keeps reminding me the hens have it all under control.

 

[brahmabreeder]

All of my broodys did fine this year. I had two turkeys hatch out chicken eggs and a Silkie hatch out eggs. Not one of them needed my help. When hatching day comes make sure no one disturbs them to much. Remember if you lift the hen up off the nest during the eggs last few days you loose humidity and temperature. This is why we don't open the incubators during the last few days. The only thing I have really read that happens the most with new hens is that they smother chicks when hatching. As I said mine were fine and two were new to hatching. I plan on building a coop for broodies this year. I want to put my broodiest hens in there to hatch the eggs and I might have a capon raise the chicks.