Old Fashioned Broody Hen Hatch A Long and Informational Thread

[Johnn]

Is there no other pens like that for you GLW?

 

[bobbieschicks]

Yeah the other silky hatched under Topsy. Couldn't see it but found the shell.
Hoping the Marans hatch too. We're down to 1 silky I moved from Smokey that probably won't hatch. And the two Marans. One feels light but the other feels heavy so maybe one is still good.

 

[bobbieschicks]

Is there no other pens like that for you GLW?

Sorry but huh?

 

[hokankai]

Is there no other pens like that for you GLW?

I'm assuming this is regarding my broody GLW? No, I don't have anywhere else to put her. I would have had a place if my DF didn't chop up a ton of wood and fill up my backup chicken pen with it.

I haven't broken her yet though...gonna see if anything opens up, but I'm not holding my breath.


In regards to the little polish, looks like mother knew best this go around. Now that it's been another day and I can see that the increasing difference in size, it looks like he is suffering from failure to thrive. He just isn't eating any food, no matter what I try and his little crop is very empty now. This afternoon he had wandered off behind the nest by himself. That's the last time I'm intervening, now it's Nature's turn to take over

I really wanted a little polish too. They're so hard to find around here!

 

[bobbieschicks]

I'm assuming this is regarding my broody GLW? No, I don't have anywhere else to put her. I would have had a place if my DF didn't chop up a ton of wood and fill up my backup chicken pen with it.

I haven't broken her yet though...gonna see if anything opens up, but I'm not holding my breath. 


In regards to the little polish, looks like mother knew best this go around. Now that it's been another day and I can see that the increasing difference in size, it looks like he is suffering from failure to thrive. He just isn't eating any food, no matter what I try and his little crop is very empty now. This afternoon he had wandered off behind the nest by himself. That's the last time I'm intervening, now it's Nature's turn to take over

I really wanted a little polish too. They're so hard to find around here!

Sometimes if you trim the feathers around their eyes it helps. Sorry.

 

[hokankai]

It doesn't have any feathers on its head...it's only like 5 days old. It just hasn't taken to eating solid food at all.

 

[Silkie Chick]

We have two hens who are broody right now, and they have decided to share a nest box as well as the eggs. We have had a broody hen step in for a mama hen when she all but abandoned her babies, but is it normal for two hens to go broody together and raise up the chicks? This is not the first time that our hens have gone broody (we have had seven this season alone), but they usually don't like to share nest boxes. They have been sitting on the eggs (there are three) for two weeks, and they are very courteous to each other. One of the hens keeps the eggs warm and toasty, and the other protects the nest as well as rolling the eggs. Do you see any potential problems with this set-up?

 

[Miss Lydia]

We have two hens who are broody right now, and they have decided to share a nest box as well as the eggs. We have had a broody hen step in for a mama hen when she all but abandoned her babies, but is it normal for two hens to go broody together and raise up the chicks? This is not the first time that our hens have gone broody (we have had seven this season alone), but they usually don't like to share nest boxes. They have been sitting on the eggs (there are three) for two weeks, and they are very courteous to each other. One of the hens keeps the eggs warm and toasty, and the other protects the nest as well as rolling the eggs. Do you see any potential problems with this set-up?

I don't see any problem as long as the broodies are getting along now they will continue to share motherly duties after hatch. I have had it happen here. let us know when hatch day comes.

 

[Miss Lydia]

Both broodies in their maternity ward.


Smokey is done hatching - here she is with her 4 new silkies.


Topsy's 1st silky - she's about to hatch out another one that is zipping as I type this. Still holding out hope for the 2 maran eggs.

Smokey and Topsy are so pretty and what precious chicks.. Congrats!!

 

[Miss Lydia]

Had company most of the afternoon and heavy rain so I didn't get to check on my frizzle till just a while ago, she has 1 chick so far, no sounds coming out of the other egg. But this one is a cochin bantam.. will try for pic tomorrow.