Old Fashioned Broody Hen Hatch A Long and Informational Thread

[ocap]

She hatched 4 Barred Rock, and 4 Black Australorp...

great news! I am going to put 8 large fowl silver penciled Wyandotte under mine, I appreciate the help.

 

[fisherlady]

great news! I am going to put 8 large fowl silver penciled Wyandotte under mine, I appreciate the help.

I would make sure the weather is good for her before doing so... We ordered 8 eggs, figuring she would hatch 4 or 5 because of the usual loss of a few eggs due to shipping or fertility or failure to survive incubation for any one of the many other things that can happen. I really didn't expect her to hatch out all of them! She has had her 'wings' full and we have had to make sure her broody area is kept above freezing because she is now having trouble covering them all.
So you should be OK if the weather is decent, but if it is too cold you need to be prepared to add supplemental heat if the hen can't cover them well in the nest.
If/when she goes broody again we would only put 6 under her, that would make it easier on her in the long run.

 

[ocap]

I would make sure the weather is good for her before doing so... We ordered 8 eggs, figuring she would hatch 4 or 5 because of the usual loss of a few eggs due to shipping or fertility or failure to survive incubation for any one of the many other things that can happen. I really didn't expect her to hatch out all of them! She has had her 'wings' full and we have had to make sure her broody area is kept above freezing because she is now having trouble covering them all.
So you should be OK if the weather is decent, but if it is too cold you need to be prepared to add supplemental heat if the hen can't cover them well in the nest.

Thanks again, I will be living north of Kansas City, frigid in winter!!!

 

[Debs55]

They know chicks when they see them. I would not worry. When mom hears some peeping going on she might suggest to others to move over.She will probably set tight to the nest the last few days. Some really good flocks co-raise chicks all together. If you are one of those..you are blessed. I have several hens who will show feed to all the chicks and even a drake duck who shows new chicks were feed is. I also have some birds that the hens keep there charges away from. They are pretty smart birds. If your group is all together, they will help raise these chicks. It is a win win.

Alright thanks. I just worry because I've literally gone out that at night to see one pullet laying directly on top of her and the other pullet and roo squished up next to her and each setting on an egg lol. If just hate for the babies to hatch and then be squished in their cuddle puddle

 

[dorklingmomma]

i have a coco Moran hen she is extremely skidish

I love marans, im tempted to get a female cuckoo one

 

[dorklingmomma]

My favorites are my silver dorklings they are awesome breed

 

[CoopChick719]

I love you guys. My heart just sighed reading this. I am so greatful for everyone sharing experience to newbies. I just need to hear it will be ok. I would never try any of this if it weren't for OT's help.

x10 what maggiemo said!! Another newbie here who had a broody, set eggs under her, left momma & babies in the main coop w/the rest of the flock (much to the dismay/shock/disapproval of many people in my area). It was the longest 21 days of my life.

And I owe my gratitude to all on this thread who guided me through the process!! Thank you!!!

BTW everyone is doing fine!! The babies are growing, practicing flying off the top roost and scratching around in the dirt in 25 degree weather.

 

[CoopChick719]

Hey y'all. 5 more days till hatch day! But I have a question. My broody is nesting on the floor of the coop and at night the other chickens ( 2 pullets and a roo..all silkies) cuddle with her. She even lets them help sit on the eggs at night. My question is the day before hatch day should I put some wire around her at night in case they hatch during the night? During the day I can just shut the coop door cause the other chickens never go in there during the day. I'm scared they may squish the chicks

They know chicks when they see them. I would not worry. When mom hears some peeping going on she might suggest to others to move over.She will probably set tight to the nest the last few days. Some really good flocks co-raise chicks all together. If you are one of those..you are blessed. I have several hens who will show feed to all the chicks and even a drake duck who shows new chicks were feed is. I also have some birds that the hens keep there charges away from. They are pretty smart birds. If your group is all together, they will help raise these chicks. It is a win win.

My roo points out food for the chicks. He also steps between the babies & the big girl,Chiquita, who likes to chase them. I've seen him herd her away several times. She might be headed for solitary confinement if she keeps that up. She wasn't the one who I was worried about either.

I would like to know the breed of the 8 chicks your broody silkie hatched. I am getting silkies later this spring and want to know how many eggs they can handle.

I would make sure the weather is good for her before doing so... We ordered 8 eggs, figuring she would hatch 4 or 5 because of the usual loss of a few eggs due to shipping or fertility or failure to survive incubation for any one of the many other things that can happen. I really didn't expect her to hatch out all of them! She has had her 'wings' full and we have had to make sure her broody area is kept above freezing because she is now having trouble covering them all. So you should be OK if the weather is decent, but if it is too cold you need to be prepared to add supplemental heat if the hen can't cover them well in the nest. If/when she goes broody again we would only put 6 under her, that would make it easier on her in the long run.

I put 6 LF (BR's & EE's) eggs under my Sizzle--she hatched 4. They will be 3 weeks old tomorrow. It's starting to get a little crowded under Momma but I do have a heat lamp just in case someone isn't completely covered. I'm from Maine so we've had some wide temp swings--single digits at night then climbing to the mid 30's--low 40's during the day. A blizzard on a Sat. then rain & 40's 2 days later...global warming at it's finest!

 

[Debs55]

Alright I guess I'll just keep an eye on them then

 

[luvmychicken]

Last egg was a dud. The chick stopped forming about day 14. So. With a 50% hactch. How much longer will she stay on the nest