Old Fashioned Broody Hen Hatch A Long and Informational Thread

[CarolJ]

I've got my first broody sitting on some eggs. Onyx is a solid black Araucana. She has gone broody several times before. I had a JG go broody last fall but after I broke her broodiness, she hasn't gone broody again. This Araucana is persistent - I'll break her broodiness - and within a couple weeks, she's going broody again. This time I set up a separate pen with a nest box, food & water. I waited till after all the chickens had gone to roost. Then I put the eggs I wanted her to brood in the nest box and then took her out of the nest box in the big coop and placed her in the brood pen. She ate/drank, and then got into the nest box and has been sitting on the eggs ever since.

That was about 14 hours ago. All six eggs under her now were laid yesterday by my EEs and other Araucanas. Do you think it would be okay for me to put several more eggs under her today? I rehomed my rooster this past weekend, and and so the eggs I am getting won't be fertile after a few more days. I thought I might put some that are laid today under her - unless it would mess up the hatching timeline. What do you think?

 

[Miss Lydia]

I've got my first broody sitting on some eggs. Onyx is a solid black Araucana. She has gone broody several times before. I had a JG go broody last fall but after I broke her broodiness, she hasn't gone broody again. This Araucana is persistent - I'll break her broodiness - and within a couple weeks, she's going broody again. This time I set up a separate pen with a nest box, food & water. I waited till after all the chickens had gone to roost. Then I put the eggs I wanted her to brood in the nest box and then took her out of the nest box in the big coop and placed her in the brood pen. She ate/drank, and then got into the nest box and has been sitting on the eggs ever since.

That was about 14 hours ago. All six eggs under her now were laid yesterday by my EEs and other Araucanas. Do you think it would be okay for me to put several more eggs under her today? I rehomed my rooster this past weekend, and and so the eggs I am getting won't be fertile after a few more days. I thought I might put some that are laid today under her - unless it would mess up the hatching timeline. What do you think?

Should be fine, she will usually stay on the nest after hatching the first chick around 3 days then if any haven't hatched she'll most likely leave them to care for those that did. Keep us updated.

 

[sgtmom52]

That was about 14 hours ago. All six eggs under her now were laid yesterday by my EEs and other Araucanas. Do you think it would be okay for me to put several more eggs under her today? I rehomed my rooster this past weekend, and and so the eggs I am getting won't be fertile after a few more days. I thought I might put some that are laid today under her - unless it would mess up the hatching timeline. What do you think?

I would add the extra eggs today ~ that is not that much time difference. And good luck with your hatch

 

[ThePendragon]

Broodies! They can be so temperamental. Keep us posted!

Yeah. But she's kept with it....

 

[bobbieschicks]

Still praying for the maran eggs to hatch. So want to candle them. But it's too bright now and I don't want to hurt their chances.

 

[lisaequine1]

Has anybody ever had a broody go over 24 days? I have a buff orpington that I gave four eggs. One got broken and one wasn't fertilized, but the other two were growing well as of day 7. Now I'm about to give up on the other two. I haven't taken them from her to check, but I think I will today.

 

[Tripp16]

Oh it was so cute this morning! I had the rooster locked up and let Momma decide if she wanted to take her babies outside she looked out the door and did a loud growl. She went back inside and called the chicks to her. I guess she isnt ready for them to go outside. The chicks crack me up how they follow behind her. She saw a black little beetle she pecked at it and the chicks came running they were chasing that beetle around!

I could watch them for hours!

 

[Tripp16]

Has anybody ever had a broody go over 24 days? I have a buff orpington that I gave four eggs. One got broken and one wasn't fertilized, but the other two were growing well as of day 7. Now I'm about to give up on the other two. I haven't taken them from her to check, but I think I will today.

Miss Lydias hen sat for 42 days since her chicks didnt hatch. I personally wouldnt let them sit any longer then 42 days but thats just my opinion you could if you wanted.

 

[bobbieschicks]

Has anybody ever had a broody go over 24 days?  I have a buff orpington that I gave four eggs.  One got broken and one wasn't fertilized, but the other two were growing well as of day 7.  Now I'm about to give up on the other two.  I haven't taken them from her to check, but I think I will today.

 

A broody will usually sit until they hatch or get Day old chicks. Sometimes they give up on nonhatching ones but not always. My Topsy has finally hatched her clutch and she was sitting 35 days total.

Do you mean the length of time before giving up on the remaining eggs? If so the usual is to go at least until 25 days then candle. Weather and humidity can make eggs take longer to hatch.

 

[MuscovyMad]

Is it okay to pick the broody hen up to have a look underneath her on hatch day to see what is happening or should she be treated like an incubator in lockdown? I don't want to risk shrink wrapping chicks. But i havn't heard that mentioned about broodies before.

Just curious as i have chicks hatching on the 31st and it might be staggered so it would be good to see whats going on.