Old Fashioned Broody Hen Hatch A Long and Informational Thread

[Miss Lydia]

Thank you Miss Lydia and Stony. I always think I'm prepared for it until it happens. Just hoping that she is my only loss this week with Sandy blowing through.

 

[Johnn]

Thanks Johnn! I got a little worried about her today when I returned home from church and caught a great big Coopers Hawk dining on my tiniest silky - it was the black chick that Topsy had previously hatched. I chased away the hawk, but the chick was already beheaded. Makes me so mad - I guess they have to eat too - but I wish it weren't on my chickens.

I'll miss my little black lavender orpington/silkie mix chick.

soo sorry!, i know how you feel!

 

[Johnn]

Well after todays weather im pretty sure Melow is dead, RIP Melow, you will be missed

 

[aoxa]

When would you guys sell broody chicks if you do at all? What age do you take them away? It makes me so sad to do it before they have 'left the nest'. Just sold two broody chicks that were 7 weeks old, and still with mama. She doesn't seem to notice, but I bet they are sad

 

[Lacy Blues]

At 7 weeks, I'm sure they are a bit confused and a little stressed but they're old enough now to be away from Mama, even though they haven't made the switch themselves. Don't worry about them. She's done her job in teaching them to scrounge and scratch and the new owners will feed them well.

 

[Miss Lydia]

At 7 weeks, I'm sure they are a bit confused and a little stressed but they're old enough now to be away from Mama, even though they haven't made the switch themselves. Don't worry about them. She's done her job in teaching them to scrounge and scratch and the new owners will feed them well.

I agree and being it's 2 they will stick together till they intergrate into the flock . I sold in 2's this summer and from what I heard they did fine.

 

[aoxa]

I agree and being it's 2 they will stick together till they intergrate into the flock . I sold in 2's this summer and from what I heard they did fine.

They went in twos as well. I'm sure they will get over it. Janet has kept her brood the longest this year.

 

[MyTDogs]

I just picked up 5 babies today & I was hoping to give them to my broody hen who has 4 chicks of the same age(Week old)... is this possible? If so, how do I introduce them?

Thanks!

 

[BantyChickenLuv]

Is there a way to encourage a hen to go broody? I have a Cochin Frizzle and would love for her to hatch some eggs. I know you can't make a hen go broody, but encourage?

 

[stonykill]

Is there a way to encourage a hen to go broody? I have a Cochin Frizzle and would love for her to hatch some eggs. I know you can't make a hen go broody, but encourage?

I entice them by leaving eggs or false eggs in the nest at all times. Seems to entice the hens who have the broody instinct.