Old Fashioned Broody Hen Hatch A Long and Informational Thread

[Chick_In_The_Burbs]

I am sad because I think the eggs I put under my broody are not fertile.  I haven't been seeing a whole lot of "action" going on. Beta roo just took over after Alpha died 2 weeks ago.  I broke open an egg from the chicken I got the other eggs from and didn't see the bullseye.

I am surprised at how sad this makes me.  I know I am anthropomorphising here, but I feel like she wants to be a mom and I didn't give her the right eggs to sit on and how disapointed she's going to be when they don't hatch. I'm actually losing sleep over this...LOL. 

can you tell first time chicken owner/egg hatcher?

Actually, I feel your pain. My banty Brahma Summer went broody and the eggs I had to wait a week to receive in the first place all died/ didn't develop. I ended up hunting down some local eggs for her to hatch. All told she sat for a month and a half. I think she would have tried to hatch a rock. Poor gal was determined to be a momma and I didn't have the heart to break her. And I kinda wanted some chicks around anyway.

 

[cluckcluckluke]

How about a silkie?

Silkies by reputation are the best of the best, although you cant get a whole load of eggs under them, so a Orpington could be of great help.

 

[farmerfogg]

OMG!! I'm so glad to have come across this thread! Only problem for me is that I'm only on page 3 of 1502! I better hurry up and catch up! Thanks for starting this thread! Great info in here!!

 

[Johnn]

My light sussex was broody for 7 weeks and my welsummer 8 weeks

 

[farmerfogg]

The first baby is here! Mama is doing a great job and baby loves staying under those warm feathers /img/smilies/jumpy.gif

Oh! This so adorable!

 

[Miss Lydia]

My lil game hen sat for over 6 weeks before she hatched anything, so get the hen some fertile eggs, then make sure she has fresh food and water close by, she'll take care of the rest.

 

[bobbieschicks]

My lil game hen sat for over 6 weeks before she hatched anything, so get the hen some fertile eggs, then make sure she has fresh food and water close by, she'll take care of the rest. 

Xs2

I've had them sit for two weeks before getting fertile eggs under them. Both the Aruacana and Silkiy have sat well past 21 days without issue. I think the longest was 40ish days. My guess is they will give up on unfertilized eggs after a period of time, but I haven't tested that yet. But definitely I know it's longer than 14 days, at least for my two broodies.

Dorkings are supposed to be wonderful broodies, along the lines of the silky in their resolve to brood.

 

[bobbieschicks]

OMG!! I'm so glad to have come across this thread! Only problem for me is that I'm only on page 3 of 1502! I better hurry up and catch up! Thanks for starting this thread! Great info in here!!

Welcome! Having read the entire thread myself, long before it reached such epic proportions, I would recommend posting any questions first and then reading the thread at your leisure.

 

[bobbieschicks]

Silkies by reputation are the best of the best, although you cant get a whole load of eggs under them, so a Orpington could be of great help.

Definitely true. A broody Orpington could easily handle oodles of LF eggs or double that for Bantam size. I can only get 5 silky eggs or 2 LF eggs under my silky.

 

[Leahs Mom]

Here's a question!

Just moved my broody box (a rubbermade tub) down to floor level. If I get a hatch they're due on Saturday or thereabouts. Here's the question:

The box has about a 3" - 4" lip or edge at the door. When mom wants to bring the chicks out, is that too high for them to easily get back in? Should I cut it down lower?

Here's a photo - you can see the lip - or edge - at the front entrance.