Old Fashioned Broody Hen Hatch A Long and Informational Thread

[JakRat]

Oh no! I just saw the black Cornish running from the chicken house!! I ran out there and one of the dominant hens, an EE, apparently booted Cornie from her nest and was sitting on the nest. I watched for about 1/2 hour and the hen left and Cornie went back in to her nest.

I was going to put her in a cardboard box for a broody box but what do you all think of me using a large dog carrier and just keeping it closed up? Or should I just let them handle everything them selves?? Don't really know what to do to keep the other hens off the nest. I could cordon off a part of the chicken house with chicken wire ?

What do you all say??

I had a similar problem with my first hen. She was very skittish and would let the other hens push her around. So I brought her into the house, and after trying the dog crate, I just put her in a baby pool with pine shavings. They dont move away from their eggs to much so I wouldnt worry about her jumping out and running around.

Now that her and another hen have gone broody, she sits outside the nest on an egg and then the other girl is in the nest. Our other hens insist on laying in her nest. I have placed two other nests in the coop but they refuse. Since the hen in the nest is quite calm and doesnt attack me I just go and get the extra eggs out. The fertile ones (from another farm since our rooster is a bit of a "dandy") I have marked the eggs so that I can make sure that I dont pick up the wrong ones.

 

[Tripp16]

I think it depends on the breed. We bough Patrick and Penelope BECAUSE they were born from broody's last year. You know how much I LOVE broody's.

. I'll be the 1st to admit, I enabled her. Leaving 2 false eggs in the nest ALL OF THE TIME, and at the 1st incling of sitting on the nest a little too long in the morning, started leaving her eggs there. I am a broody enabler

I am too!! My hens each have 5 false eggs in the nesting boxes except Henriettas nest which is where her and her chicks sleep and nobody dares lay in her nest!

Shes a good momma. I love all broodys and I feel like I constantly am trying to get one to go broody. My little Bantam hen Gracie has been broody once a while back, she now has 2 false eggs and 5 of her own eggs. She sits on them longer and longer everyday. She isnt aggressive on then nest until shes officially broody. Thats when she started growling...

I just hope it wont be long! Henriettas chicks are growing up fast!

 

[JoshU]

I'm just so stinking excited!!!

Chicken math has struck again, though. I ordered 15 chicks (3 weeks old now) when mamma decided to sit on eggs. I couldn't turn her down, so here we are at 34 chickens of all ages!!!!

I had 9 in early spring and am at 50 right now. Although 16 are fat happy pastured 6 week old meaties with the end drawing near.

 

[vmdanielsen]

I was wondering if stress causes hens to slow down their egg production? Twice this week I've had to get in the coop and grab chickens. Which of course causes quite a roccaous. But since then, instead of 5 eggs a day, i'm down to three. Also, how can you tell if a chicken isn't laying? I have six hens and get only five eggs a day. I should get 3 blue and 3 brown, but only get 3 blue and two brown. I've narrowed it down to one of the buff orp's., but don't know how to determine which one.

country, you can also tell by comparing the vent of the BO with that of a hen that you know is laying. The vent of a hen that is laying is larger and moister. The vent of a non laying hen is smaller and dryer. If you try this investigation, you may want to try it at night as the chickens will be quieter and less stressful for your birds. Have someone else hold the flashlight or get a head lamp(my personal favorite!)

 

[Miss Lydia]

Well been gone only a few days and look at all the chicks and mamas beautiful and Congrats to all... We had 2 new additions since Last time I was here, my lil first year Charlotte hatched out 2 tiny bantams yesterday late.. So cute... Yes we have chicks in 2 and 3's to try to keep population under control.. [for dh's peace of mind] not mine.

 

[stonykill]

congrats Miss L

Our 15 lb Maine coon mix killed this this morning. It was stalking a 3 lb dark blue Sumatra hen.

 

[prairie]

Well, we finally put our 11 guinea eggs under the broody last night so hopefully we will have a hatch on July 4 -- if my math is correct!

I am going to save some more guinea eggs and put about 4-5 under the little Cornish and see if she can hatch them but I am putting a pen around her to keep the other hens out of her nest!

 

[Miss Lydia]

congrats Miss L

Our 15 lb Maine coon mix killed this this morning. It was stalking a 3 lb dark blue Sumatra hen.

Sounds like you have LGCat stony good work!!

 

[Miss Lydia]

Well, we finally put our 11 guinea eggs under the broody last night so hopefully we will have a hatch on July 4 -- if my math is correct!

I am going to save some more guinea eggs and put about 4-5 under the little Cornish and see if she can hatch them but I am putting a pen around her to keep the other hens out of her nest!

Hope you have great hatches from both..

 

[vmdanielsen]

congrats Miss L

Our 15 lb Maine coon mix killed this this morning. It was stalking a 3 lb dark blue Sumatra hen.

Is this a weasel? Give your cat a can of tuna for his catch!!Or let him eat his catch!