Old Fashioned Broody Hen Hatch A Long and Informational Thread

[Zinnia-Hen]

Hm, just a question. The egg is still peeping every once in a while, but the actual chick itself hasn't hatched yet. This is normal, correct?

 

[Miss Lydia]

Hm, just a question. The egg is still peeping every once in a while, but the actual chick itself hasn't hatched yet. This is normal, correct?

Very normal it means the chick has internally pipped so just sit on your hands and wait it won't be long now..

Mama is sitting tight right?

 

[stonykill]

 

[kizanne]

Ok so I admit I didn't read all 1026 but I got through quite a few without getting an answer to my question.

I have a first time broody, she is a sussex about 1 year old. She sat on fake eggs for 2 almost 3 weeks before I finally decided that I'd give her some eggs. She is very stead fast and in the 2-3 weeks she would switch nest to get where there were more eggs. I gave her 9 eggs to sit on sunday, so this is day 5 (1/4 of the way there).

I've heard a lot that she will break before she is finished with the hatch. Here are a few of my questions.

1. how many broody's just don't break without a hatch as she seems particularly steadfast. in going on 3 1/2-4 weeks now I've only seen her off the nest once for 20 minutes. What really are my odds.

2. If she does break how long do I have before I need to get them in the bator, temps here are nice a warm around 90 degrees.

3. I've been giving her mealworms on the nest 2x a day to keep her from losing too much weight. I actually have a lot of faith in her broodiness (you'd just have to meet her she is stubburn). When do I need to worry about weight loss from an extended sit. If she sticks it out then it will be close to 6 weeks on the nest.

4. She is in a nest box with the other hens. I've seen a lot of people move them. I tried that she didn't like that. If I let her hatch them in the coop will it be ok or should I move all of them as soon as they are hatched to an isolated place?

Thanks for any replies. I've done a lot of reading but never hurts to have more input, particularly on the long brood.

 

[Zinnia-Hen]

Quote:
That's what I thought.

And yep! Can't wait until the little guys come out.

 

[Miss Lydia]

That's what I thought.

And yep! Can't wait until the little guys come out.

Be sure to let us know when it happens with pics when you get the chance.

 

[Tripp16]

Welp the rooster somehow broke into the coop while I was gone to work! I even had a cinder block to make sure it didnt happen again! But somehow he busted in!

I was expecting to see a dead hen and most likely 7 dead little babies but nope all the chicks were perfectly fine but Moms head was bright red! She had some feathers pulled out but she definetely fought her battle! Ugh! I cant believe it happened again and both times I have been gone!

Poor girl will probably never go broody again with the way this rooster has treated her! He is GONE by the end of the week whether it be to a new home or if worst comes to worst freezer camp. I just hatched out some of his babies so I can keep of one of them to be a good rooster.

I really think the other hens helped her out. They have helped mother the babies too especially my buff orpington. So I cant help but think they helped her make it out alive with all 7 chicks....

 

[Zinnia-Hen]

Quote:
Alright. :3

 

[bobbieschicks]

Squeezeably cute!

 

[bobbieschicks]

Ok so I admit I didn't read all 1026 but I got through quite a few without getting an answer to my question.

I have a first time broody, she is a sussex about 1 year old.  She sat on fake eggs for 2 almost 3 weeks before I finally decided that I'd give her some eggs.  She is very stead fast and in the 2-3 weeks she would switch nest to get where there were more eggs.  I gave her 9 eggs to sit on sunday, so this is day 5 (1/4 of the way there).

I've heard a lot that she will break before she is finished with the hatch.  Here are a few of my questions.

1. how many broody's just don't break without a hatch as she seems particularly steadfast.  in going on 3 1/2-4 weeks now I've only seen her off the nest once for 20 minutes.  What really are my odds.

That's a good amount of time already so definitely keep a backup plan, but if she's strong and determined she probably will stick it out.


2.  If she does break how long do I have before I need to get them in the bator, temps here are nice a warm around 90 degrees.

That's a warm temp but you will still want to put themin the bator the same day.

3.  I've been giving her mealworms on the nest 2x a day to keep her from losing too much weight.  I actually have a lot of faith in her broodiness (you'd just have to meet her she is stubburn).  When do I need to worry about weight loss from an extended sit.  If she sticks it out then it will be close to 6 weeks on the nest.

Cook her up some scrambled egg for protein or feed her some tuna.

4. She is in a nest box with the other hens.   I've seen a lot of people move them.  I tried that she didn't like that.  If I let her hatch them in the coop will it be ok or should I move all of them as soon as they are hatched to an isolated place?

I move them so they don't get beat up by the others. But you don't have to move her.

Thanks for any replies.  I've done a lot of reading but never hurts to have more input, particularly on the long brood.

Keep us posted!