Old Fashioned Broody Hen Hatch A Long and Informational Thread

[Chickinn]

I currently have my first broody hen!! We have no roosters so she was sitting on infertile eggs. I bought her 4 hopefully fertile eggs to sit on. As of yesterday, she was still laying and I have been taking the eggs because I know they aren't fertile. Should I be taking the eggs? I didn't look under her today to see if she had a new one. I was afraid if I keep taking the eggs she will continue to lay and possibly abandon the nest. Also, she is in the nesting box which is raised.... Should I move her? She seems very comfy in there. A few days ago she was getting up to let the other hens lay in her nest and she would grab a bite to eat and relieve herself. I don't think she is doing that now..... What do you all think?

 

[Miss Lydia]

I currently have my first broody hen!! We have no roosters so she was sitting on infertile eggs. I bought her 4 hopefully fertile eggs to sit on. As of yesterday, she was still laying and I have been taking the eggs because I know they aren't fertile. Should I be taking the eggs? I didn't look under her today to see if she had a new one. I was afraid if I keep taking the eggs she will continue to lay and possibly abandon the nest. Also, she is in the nesting box which is raised.... Should I move her? She seems very comfy in there. A few days ago she was getting up to let the other hens lay in her nest and she would grab a bite to eat and relieve herself. I don't think she is doing that now..... What do you all think?

I'd leave some eggs for her to sit on till the fertile ones get there. then mark the fertile ones so if anymore get laid in the nest you'll know which ones to take out. As long as the others aren't messing with her I'd just leave her where she is. Keep us updated on her progress and good luck.

 

[gg706]

My Blue Laced Red Wyandotte "Bethany" I believe was on the verge of going broody this last summer. She sat on the nest a couple of times for a few days. I broke her up by removing her from the nest and putting her with the flock to range. Sometimes she would go straight back to the nest. She was young at that point March 2012 chick) and had not been laying for very long. She is molting right now, so I am hopeful this spring she will be ready to hatch out some chicks for me. Do you think my odds are good that she will want to brood this spring. How do you time ordering hatching eggs and getting a broody hen? How long can fertile shipped eggs sit and wait for a broody hen?

 

[Chick_In_The_Burbs]

Sooner is obviously better when it comes to fertile eggs, but wild hens take up to ten days developing a clutch so that's about how long you have before they start to really deteriorate.

 

[stonykill]

Sooner is obviously better when it comes to fertile eggs, but wild hens take up to ten days developing a clutch so that's about how long you have before they start to really deteriorate.

wild hens...at least mine take up to 3 weeks to accumulate their clutch

 

[Chickinn]

Thank you Lydia~ I didn't make it clear that I already have the fertile eggs, she has been sitting on them since Dec. 31.... I will continue to remove the new ones and hope for the best! I will keep you all updated. Thanks for the info!

 

[Miss Lydia]

Thank you Lydia~ I didn't make it clear that I already have the fertile eggs, she has been sitting on them since Dec. 31.... I will continue to remove the new ones and hope for the best! I will keep you all updated. Thanks for the info!

Oh goodie, well thats even better closer to hatch day

 

[erinchicknlover]

she would protect her chicks with the cost of a lot of feathers gone also nobody would be near her because they make a sould of very"dont come near me or ull get it" type of sound

 

[kingsfarm]

Waiting for tomorrow to get here, day 21...broody so quiet, calm and still...not her first hatch so can't wait... second hen (game hen) nesting in a high nest cannot imagine how she will get them down but don't want to disturb her - hatch within a week I think...the third hen is on the medium level nest.. will be interesting how all these chicks will get down...do you think I should move the game and her eggs? only 6 under her...what do you think? I would do it at night and cover the new nest bucket with cloth so she cannot see...have done this once before but not with her...she lets me pet her sooooooooo

 

[Miss Lydia]

Waiting for tomorrow to get here, day 21...broody so quiet, calm and still...not her first hatch so can't wait... second hen (game hen) nesting in a high nest cannot imagine how she will get them down but don't want to disturb her - hatch within a week I think...the third hen is on the medium level nest.. will be interesting how all these chicks will get down...do you think I should move the game and her eggs? only 6 under her...what do you think? I would do it at night and cover the new nest bucket with cloth so she cannot see...have done this once before but not with her...she lets me pet her sooooooooo

Might be a good idea, wait till right before hatch so she'll stick tight, also you want to make sure none of the other members of the flock will disturb her or she may abandon the eggs, good idea to move nest an all they don't take kindly to being removed from their special nest. Good luck.