Old Fashioned Broody Hen Hatch A Long and Informational Thread

[fisherlady]

Thanks fisherlady. I will give it a try.

One more question please.

When do you re-introduce the hen and her chicks back into the flock?
The area I have sectioned off is inside the coop.
Eventually it will warm up here in Ohio and I will want the hen and chicks to
be able to go out into the run and then out in the yard in the evenings when they
pasture range.

Ours also hatched hers out in a broody area in the coop. We made sure the other chickens had a good view of Gracie and her little ones from day one (separated with just chicken wire) and within a few days you will probably see the mama hen bringing her little ones out to introduce them to the rest of the flock and the normal coop activities. Most broody hens are very capable of protecting their little ones and unless you are worried that there is a particular threat from the flock then once the babies are a few days old I would allow introductions to proceed as the mama hen wants. Just make sure she has a comfortable area available to nest with the little ones and that there is a way for the chick feed to be available without the big birds eating it all.

 

[OHfarmerswife]

Thanks so much for your suggestions.
I am very nervous about hatching eggs but hopefully it will go well.

Any suggesitons on how to keep the chickens from eating the chick feed?

 

[fisherlady]

Thanks so much for your suggestions.
I am very nervous about hatching eggs but hopefully it will go well.

Any suggesitons on how to keep the chickens from eating the chick feed?

If it becomes a problem you can rig up a large cover for the feeder that has openings that only the chicks can fit through. It can be a box with holes in one or two sides or a fence cage or a regular cage of some type with bars/wires that the chicks can fit through but not big birds. Folks have even done similar just to provide a 'safe haven' for chicks in a coop. General idea is that the chicks can run into it for protection if being chased by an adult bird (who can't fit into it)

 

[OHfarmerswife]

If it becomes a problem you can rig up a large cover for the feeder that has openings that only the chicks can fit through. It can be a box with holes in one or two sides or a fence cage or a regular cage of some type with bars/wires that the chicks can fit through but not big birds. Folks have even done similar just to provide a 'safe haven' for chicks in a coop. General idea is that the chicks can run into it for protection if being chased by an adult bird (who can't fit into it)

Thanks again for your helpful suggestions.
I have a dog cage that just might work.

 

[FirewifeJess]

Quote:
OR you can switch the whole flock to flock raiser or unmedicated chick feed while the chicks still need it, being sure to provide lots of free choice oyster shell and/or feed their shells back to them. No harm will be done giving layers extra protein and then you don't have anything to worry about at all. That's what I did.

 

[OffGridMAMA]

Thankyou to anyone who left nice comments on the pics

Kinda late...but love your pics!! Those are print and frame worthy

 

[gg706]

After reading the latest I am kinda concerned....My broody is the lowest on the totem pole. She is much smaller than my wyandottes so really probably will not be able to defend herself or the chicks. I posted earlier that the wyandottes were going in a pecking my broody on the comb and making her leave the nest. So I seperated a small space with a nest box and moved her eggs. She is happy in there and things are going well. Now I am concerned that when the chicks hatch the wyandottes are going to go after the chicks. Will the rooster defend his offspring and help out my new mother? I also have 4 week old chicks from TSC growing up in a box in my garage. I took them out and let them run around in a large pen a few times while my grown flock was ranging. They came over and checked out the chicks with no reaction really. So I took one of the chicks and put it down in the coop, the adults came in to check it out, the rooster attempted to peck him so I picked him up right quick. Is this how he will probably behave toward his own chicks being hatched? Would my broody possiblly accept the 4 week old chicks in with her own? I am considering building a small shelter onto my range pen and putting the 4 week old chicks in there until they are big enough to range with the flock. Never done this before so I have no idea what to expect.

 

[OHfarmerswife]

OR you can switch the whole flock to flock raiser or unmedicated chick feed while the chicks still need it, being sure to provide lots of free choice oyster shell and/or feed their shells back to them. No harm will be done giving layers extra protein and then you don't have anything to worry about at all. That's what I did.

Thanks Jess Great idea.
I can do the flock raiser as I have oyster shell available free choice.

 

[OHfarmerswife]

Ok just received my eggs in the mail.
I have them in an egg carton.
Planning on setting them under the hen tonight.

Any suggestions will be most appreciated.
Thanks

 

[Johnn]

Kinda late...but love your pics!! Those are print and frame worthy

Thankyou!