Old Fashioned Broody Hen Hatch A Long and Informational Thread

[bwalker]

Our new Mama... so far 4 babies... looks like 3 barred rocks, and a mix breed.. LOL!! "Candy" our mama hen sat on 7 eggs, 4 have hatched... Will she continue to sit on the other 3 or do I have to take them out? Thanks!

 

[peepmommy]

I am expecting for my first broody hen to hatch her first clutch of eggs tomorrow... I am so clueless and am just praying se hatches at least one!!

She is a first time mom and so far she's done a good job. I just can't stand the wait. Any words of advice? When do I give up on these eggs, just in case they don't hatch?

Lots of chickey thoughts for everyone! Lots of cute little furry butts on here, hoping I get one!!!

 

[Miss Lydia]

Here are another couple of photos now the chicks are off the nest. Luckily the hens have decided that they are going to share their chicks with each other and they sit down and let all the chicks gather under them. One of them is currently walking about the garden with 2 chicks (first timer) whilst my well trialled broody is sat in the coop with 14 under her. So glad they get along. Sounds horrible having them going at each others chicks. They'll meet the roo in a couple of weeks. However he is great with chicks. I've even caught him in the nest box sitting on eggs. I think he is trying to encourage the others to go broody and it seems to be working

. He does his job of populating the run far too well.

Thanks again for all your help.

Beautiful pics, so glad for you they are working together.. Congrats..

 

[Miss Lydia]

Oh I found it! Oxine - right? I ordered some of it and a fogger so that I can clean the coop and hopefully keep everyone healthy.

Sorry bobbies i didn't see this, yes Oxine ah and don't buy the citric acid you can't use it around your flock. just plain ole Oxine is all you need.

 

[bobbieschicks]

Adorable! I wait for the momma to give up usually - on Day 25 you can candle any eggs she's still sitting on (or 3 days after the 1st chick hatched) - most likely they aren't any good, but you never know. If they are dark and difficult to candle I go by their weight, if they are light I'd toss because they should be heavier by that point. Usually the momma will move off the nest and make a new nest nearby but not on the eggs. Congrats!

Our new Mama... so far 4 babies... looks like 3 barred rocks, and a mix breed.. LOL!! "Candy" our mama hen sat on 7 eggs, 4 have hatched... Will she continue to sit on the other 3 or do I have to take them out? Thanks!

 

[bobbieschicks]

Congrats! Can't wait to see pics of your new fuzzy butts. Leave the eggs until Day 25 then candle any left behinds. She will make a new nest away from the old one - or kick the egg out once everyone who is going to hatch does so. Most likely the eggs she kicks out are nonhatchers. Put chick feed nearby once the babies start hatching - you won't need it right away, but time has a way of passing quickly. I put a chick waterer with rocks in it for them once they hatch too.

I am expecting for my first broody hen to hatch her first clutch of eggs tomorrow... I am so clueless and am just praying se hatches at least one!!

She is a first time mom and so far she's done a good job. I just can't stand the wait. Any words of advice? When do I give up on these eggs, just in case they don't hatch?

Lots of chickey thoughts for everyone! Lots of cute little furry butts on here, hoping I get one!!!

 

[peepmommy]

I just can't handle the waiting!!!!!!

 

[ThePendragon]

hello everyone, I had 9 chicks-broody kilt one of them, mabye it was an acident. either way it was the yellow one and all the rest were black like her. all of them are healthy. And i have another broody

 

[Miss Lydia]

hello everyone, I had 9 chicks-broody kilt one of them, mabye it was an acident. either way it was the yellow one and all the rest were black like her. all of them are healthy. And i have another broody

Sorry about your chick, I lost one today too, My lil frizzle only hatched 1 chick and one of the other hens killed it. Such a bummer when this happens. Congrats on the new broody.. I still have 2 sitting.

 

[Miss Lydia]

Adorable! I wait for the momma to give up usually - on Day 25 you can candle any eggs she's still sitting on (or 3 days after the 1st chick hatched) - most likely they aren't any good, but you never know. If they are dark and difficult to candle I go by their weight, if they are light I'd toss because they should be heavier by that point. Usually the momma will move off the nest and make a new nest nearby but not on the eggs. Congrats!

So sweet. Congrats!!!