Old Fashioned Broody Hen Hatch A Long and Informational Thread

[naturespace]

https://www.backyardchickens.com/t/510045/euskal-oiloa-basque-thread/1970#post_9672104
They are wonderful birds and I hope to promote them in a positive light!

 

[karlamaria]

the chicks are of different breeds, there a possible of 4 different birds lol. Rhodie island reds, light Brahma's olive eggers ( I know I put 4 f those eggs under her and 3 hatched.was not sure of the last egg, as the chickens she had were weird colored. white with brown patches. I can tell I have 3 olive eggers so far and 2 Rhodie island reds, not sure of the last remaining yet. but one looks like the Brahma.

I have another broody sitting on eggs on the other side of the coop, she has kicked out several so not sure what her hatch rate will be, but most of the chicks from both will go to a home with a nice gal who lost her birds from coyotes. i had two broodies and thought well why not lol, this way they got something to sit on and it benefits the gal and I since I'm keeping 2 for my own flock.

 

[karlamaria]

Hello I have a little silkie hen that is going broody for the first time and my first chicken to ever go broody. I am wanting to know what I need to know when a hen is broody so I can be prepared she is setting on 3 fake eggs right now she will be getting her real eggs tomorrow. I have her in a nest with other silkies, Will she and the eggs ( when they hatch ) be ok with the other silkies or should I move her in another broody coop. Will she raise the chicks when they hatch, and can she eat chick starter for right now and when they chicks hatch or can I have her regular food in the nest box with her when the chicks hatch. Please answer back soon thanks.

~ Brannon

she will be fine if she is down low so the chicks and eggs do not fall out. mama can eat the chick food, and when the chicks are a touch older get them some flock raiser crumble and all the flock can eat it. She will protect them with her life and the other birds will know not to go near her. all will be well

 

[Silkie Chicken]

she will be fine if she is down low so the chicks and eggs do not fall out. mama can eat the chick food, and when the chicks are a touch older get them some flock raiser crumble and all the flock can eat it. She will protect them with her life and the other birds will know not to go near her. all will be well

thanks so much and should I get her off the nest for a little bit everyday to eat and drink or should I put the food and water in with her.

 

[Miss Lydia]

I woke to heaqr chirping, I looked and there were two babies and so sweet, not like my last two who were scared out of there minds every time I went near them. then through out the day more came, and just now we found so far 6. I gave her another several eggs the next day aftyer giving her around 8 so the next batch will hatch tomorrow. She is a wonderful mommy, and loves sharing the gel LOL, she fed them today and she shared the green jel, all the other birds shared to ,lol. here is the pictures from this morning until just now.

Love pics of mama and her chicks. Congrats!!!

 

[3 NH reds]

You can often get hatching eggs off Craigslist around here - so maybe around your area too? Or contact a local farmer and explain your predicament and see if they'll take pity and sell you just a few eggs. I can imagine how disappointing it would be to have three strikes and nothing to show for it.

My LF and Silky cockerels were mating by that age and I have a couple of chicks that were mixes from them.

This last batch of eggs were off of craigslist and the really annoying part is he is now selling chicks, this is like 25 days after I got eggs. Dusting my feet off and will never return. Broody is now on ceramic eggs as she was still sitting on one egg past its prime. Tonight we are going to get NH red egggs! Different guy of course and seeing as they are my favorite Layers I am hopeful. Buff Orps pull a very close second as they are Broody so easily.

 

[3 NH reds]

17 weeks is still very young. I'd give him more time.

Yea My wife pulled out Red as he had no interest in her other than beating her up for being an intruder in his flock. Just impatient waiting for Ranger 2nd generations to be here.

 

[3 NH reds]

Hello, My little silkie is broody she has beeen setting on her nest for 4 days now. The thing is I do not have any eggs to put under her to hatch they are all in the fridge and she was my only hen laying at the moment so what can I do. I have been getting her off the nest everyday to let her eat drink and get a treat and to walk around. but what do I do and what will happen when there are no eggs for her to set on there is nothing for her to set on she is just setting on the nest fluffed up and cackling at me. What do I do.

Look on craigslist for hatching eggs or people selling chicks. Thats where we are going to tonight.

 

[Johnn]

 

[ll]

good luck ChickenPeep!