Old Fashioned Broody Hen Hatch A Long and Informational Thread

Nope they are just under 4 weeks old. They are fat tho because they were in the brooder with egglayers so they ate like egglayers. It is so funny how these birds can take on characteristics from other chicks and mothers. I had 2 layer chicks that my silkie hen and rooster raised and they were the same size as these two silkies and the same age. I hope that made sense. lol.
They sure are pretty JoshU
 
I went out to check on the broodies and seems as it is a few days before hatch day i figured i'd just let them out one last time before the big day.

However on walking into the shed they were both cooing softly. So i picked one up and there is a little semi fluffed up chick and 1 pipped egg under one of the broodies and 2 pipped eggs under the other. I'll just have to see what comes of the other 12.:weee

I'm hoping this isn't the begining of the staggered hatch i feared i might have as i didn't think the due date was until the 31st. I'll post pics once the rest are out.

Hmm quickly thinking to myself maybe it's best to move the 2 pipped eggs under the one with the chick. And move 2 that are not doing anything under the other one. What do you guys think?


I would leave them where they are. It will work itself out. Congrats!
 
I think my little cornish banty is becoming broody!! Hallelujah!!
wee.gif
 
So I have two broodies right now, each sitting on 6 eggs. I'm very excited to see how many hatch, they've been great mothers so far. However, they aren't separated in the coop, from each other or the other birds. I know this is a controversial topic as far as whether it's better to keep them in the same area or separate them...so my question, should I try and keep the two mommas away from each other or do they generally do okay mixed in? I just don't want the hens to squabble once the chicks are hatched.
 
Well i finally got my last and I mean LAST 2 broodys moved to their birthing rooms lol Ebbie my frizzle moved her little one into the main coop so that freed up both sides. so Scarlett and Macey[named after our granddaughter] got moved. Also got some pics of mama and chicks, not very good. Do ya'll haveproblems getting your mamas and chicks to hold still long enough to take a pic? Issabelle actually has 2 chicks guess the other one was hiding.
 
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Well today is day 21 for me.. Pretty sure I heard pipping last night.. Can't wait to get home and see what has transpired.. I have a white plymouth rock Hen sitting on 7 eggs... My husband is terrified they won't be able to break thru our hard shells... anyone else have this worry??? Can you help to de-stress us.. this is our first hatch!! Thanks so much!
 
So I have two broodies right now, each sitting on 6 eggs. I'm very excited to see how many hatch, they've been great mothers so far. However, they aren't separated in the coop, from each other or the other birds. I know this is a controversial topic as far as whether it's better to keep them in the same area or separate them...so my question, should I try and keep the two mommas away from each other or do they generally do okay mixed in? I just don't want the hens to squabble once the chicks are hatched.
It's just something they will have to work out, this morning my 2 mamas where still in the coop with their chicks after everyone else left, both scratching around in the shavings, next thing I hear is loud screaming from mama and chicks, I had to go in and separate them, no one was injured but they must have just gotten to close to each other. My poor ducks are the ones that have taken s beating from these 2, they have to walk around on tippy toes right now. lol
 

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