Old Fashioned Broody Hen Hatch A Long and Informational Thread

[Miss Lydia]

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!

It's amazing what those chicks can get through. Best to just relax and let mama and chicks take care of it all. After all they have been doing it alot longer than us. Be sure to post some pics when they hatch,,

 

[ThePendragon]

hello everyone! my good chicks: (and mother)

 

[bobbieschicks]

Moving them is really up to you - you know your flock. If these two get along now they probably will do fine after the chicks hatch. But maybe not. My two broodies can't stand each other. They sat next to one another on shipped eggs and I divided the area with landscape fabric so they wouldn't kill one another. Or more likely, Smokey kill poor Topsy. Now they are out and about with their respective chicks and sometimes they cross paths, but for the most part they stay away from each other. Everyone is happier that way.

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.

 

[Zinnia-Hen]

hello everyone! my good chicks: (and mother)

Aw, cute! My little guy won't stand still for pictures. Too bad, he's really cute.

 

[Miss Lydia]

hello everyone! my good chicks: (and mother)

So cute.. Congrats!!!

 

[Miss Lydia]

Moving them is really up to you - you know your flock. If these two get along now they probably will do fine after the chicks hatch. But maybe not. My two broodies can't stand each other. They sat next to one another on shipped eggs and I divided the area with landscape fabric so they wouldn't kill one another. Or more likely, Smokey kill poor Topsy. Now they are out and about with their respective chicks and sometimes they cross paths, but for the most part they stay away from each other. Everyone is happier that way.

Boy my 2 mommies are being little stinkers, they got into this morning after everyone left the coop and again this afternoon. makes me want to put them in time out. What kind of example are they setting for their chicks? lol

 

[artsyrobin]

Quote: yeppers...the mama drama is crazy! worse because the only way i can tell the diff of livia's babies and jewels is feathering!
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[Miss Lydia]

yeppers...the mama drama is crazy! worse because the only way i can tell the diff of livia's babies and jewels is feathering!
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It's crazy, it's poring rain finally got everyone inside and locked up, couldn't find Issabelle and her 2 chicks, went inside 2nd coop where mama duck and assorted EEs' and 2 bantam cochins are living at the moment and there they are back in the corner, sharing space with mama duck Emmie and her duckling. I guess she had enough of Ebbies craziness for one day.. I have too I'm ready for bed. lol

 

[aaggjg]

Penelope, Patrick and their 6 fuzzy butts. They are 4 days old. 1 is a little camera shy

OMG that is the cutest!!! Made me smile on this crap-tastic day!!!

 

[Tripp16]

Boy my 2 mommies are being little stinkers, they got into this morning after everyone left the coop and again this afternoon. makes me want to put them in time out. What kind of example are they setting for their chicks? lol

Hmm sounds like the ladies at Wal-mart over a good deal! Poor kids/chicks just stare....

(I hate wal-mart can you tell?)