Old Fashioned Broody Hen Hatch A Long and Informational Thread

[StephanieD]

I have a Silkie that went broody two weeks ago and I thought she was egg-bound. I placed 6 fertile eggs under her Saturday and today (Monday) she hatched 3 of the eggs so far. I have not checked under her since this afternoon when I moved her from the outside coop, which is small, to a dog crate on the back porch. She has not moved much in some time now. I hear chirps from under her and this evening when I peeked on them, here's what I saw! I baby peeking out of her feathers! How cute! So I am not sure when to let her out in the yard and do I let her bring her babies too? Will they be easy to get back inside? I do not have an open run for them, my chickens free range in our back yard.

 

[StephanieD]

So, tomorrow should I bring the dog crate outside so the other chickens see and hear the chicks? Do I leave the dog door open or closed? Sorry for the stupid questions....this is all new to me!

 

[michaelinnc84]

I would take them out in a few days during the warmth with the door closed. Each week you can be a little more brave.

 

[Fuffy]

Quote:
Is there any way that you can make a secure tempory enclosure for Mom and the beautiful babies? So the flock can see them but not get to them?

 

[HHandbasket]

That's what we did. Our "coop" is actually an A-frame tractor coop we built, a mini grow-out coop we built, a run we built, and a children's playhouse from craigslist, all linked together like a big habitrail for chickens! Part of the coop is open-air, but there are several places the girls can be completely sheltered from the cold within the coop area, as well. I put Olga and her chicks in a dog carrier yesterday, then put the dog carrier in the playhouse, then Farmer Lew chicken-wired off the part of the playhouse that can be accessed from the inside. That way, Olga and her babies have some space in the playhouse, and the other chickens in the flock can see them and can hear them but they cannot get to them.

 

[Fuffy]

Well done

We need a 'LIKE' button!

 

[ldrwnorman47]

HHandbasket

Do you have any pictures of this coop concoction??

Awesome pics everyone !

Day 16 for my girl today, im getting very anxious!

 

[Bob in MO]

So I gotta a few questions.

I have a coop with an attached chicken run. Presently have a Delaware rooster and 7 Buff Orpington hens. By what I have read here I would say one of the hens has gone broody this past week. Everytime I go out to the coop to collect eggs she is in the top nest box. There were no eggs under her because I had taken them. So, this past Sunday I took 2 eggs that were layed in the bottom nest box and put them under her. And the following Monday (yesterday) I put 2 more under her. So here are my questions:

1. How often does she get up to eat, drink, and whatever?

2. The top nest box is 3 feet from the floor. Will she get the chicks down from there.

3. Do I need to isolate her from the rest of the chickens?

4. How much protection will she give to her chicks from the other chickens.

5. When the chicks hatch, do I need to provide feed for them?

6. Should I move her to a dog kennel?

7. If I put her in a dog kennel, how often should I let her out?

8. Can I place more eggs under her?

Thanks everyone!

 

[gritsar]

My broody is on day 8. Since it's my DH's day off, I told him HE gets to experience the joy of reaching under her today to check for stolen eggs.

 

[HHandbasket]

Quote:
Here's kinda a lame picture of it.