My First Broody!

[Altfrizzle]

I brought my broody frizzle inside. She went broody the day after I set eggs, so I gave her my chicks. Her eggs are now in the incubator because they were further behind mine (due to cold, I assume).

Meanwhile, I had 100% hatch in my incubator, 24 chicks with no foot or toe problems. 3 of 5 of hers have hatched and all 3 needed boots.

 

[Sydnee Fisher]

I brought my broody frizzle inside. She went broody the day after I set eggs, so I gave her my chicks. Her eggs are now in the incubator because they were further behind mine (due to cold, I assume).

Meanwhile, I had 100% hatch in my incubator, 24 chicks with no foot or toe problems. 3 of 5 of hers have hatched and all 3 needed boots.

Boots?

 

[Altfrizzle]

Yeah, basically medical tape/vet wrap splints on their feet to straighten them out.

If you get them right after hatch it’s corrected in a day or two, but if left they can have life-long problems.

 

[Eggsakly]

I brought my hen and chicks inside, and I'm glad I did. After they had been hatched about thirty hours or so, a couple of them decided to go for a walk. I heard them peeping like crazy and put them back in the box with mom. Then, I was exhausted from all the excitement, and I decided to lie down for just a few minutes. When I got up, one of the two wanderers was out again, and shivering uncontrollably, terribly cold, in the house! This is my hen's first clutch and she didn't know how to get the chick back into the nest.

I gave them a heat lamp in the house, and they are happiest so far. Now the babies can run around, and they do! I put out chick starter, and they have been chowing down bigly. One is really happy for the water. Mother is happier than she has been so far. She got under the lamp for herself, and then put the chicks under her.

Now I know.

 

[Sydnee Fisher]

View attachment 1224222 View attachment 1224221 I brought my hen and chicks inside, and I'm glad I did. After they had been hatched about thirty hours or so, a couple of them decided to go for a walk. I heard them peeping like crazy and put them back in the box with mom. Then, I was exhausted from all the excitement, and I decided to lie down for just a few minutes. When I got up, one of the two wanderers was out again, and shivering uncontrollably, terribly cold, in the house! This is my hen's first clutch and she didn't know how to get the chick back into the nest.

I gave them a heat lamp in the house, and they are happiest so far. Now the babies can run around, and they do! I put out chick starter, and they have been chowing down bigly. One is really happy for the water. Mother is happier than she has been so far. She got under the lamp for herself, and then put the chicks under her.

Now I know. Thank you for sharing they are adorable!

 

[Sydnee Fisher]

Oops it when all as a quote...

 

[RodNTN]

One of my hens has decided that she wanted to go broody, I am thinking about letting her hatch...

 

[poultry person]

oooo! You in trouble!Good luck! My broody hen went crazy!

 

[Eggsakly]

One of my hens has decided that she wanted to go broody, I am thinking about letting her hatch...

If I had it to do over again, I would have separated my broody much sooner in the process. I would have given her a space to herself, with closer access to food and water, and warmer temperatures. It was the first time for both of us, and we made a mess of things in some ways. Beyond the problems generated by having a chicken in the spare room for any reason, I have a dog in the house that is a danger to my chickens, and it takes some real extra effort to ensure their safety in the house, too. Still, it has worked best for the health and well-being of my hen and the babies. I wish I would have done it sooner.

I have so many plans for improving the chicken house this spring from all this . . .

 

[Sydnee Fisher]

oooo! You in trouble!Good luck! My broody hen went crazy!

She is right now but luckily she doesn’t hurt when she pecks since she’s so small! Even the rooster is attacking me every time I open the door... She won’t let him anywhere to close!