Old Fashioned Broody Hen Hatch A Long and Informational Thread

[bobbieschicks]

Did you handle your chicks that were brooded by a broody?  I have only brooded them myself in a box in the garage and of course was going out there all the time holding them and interacting. I am assuming chicks hatched here and raised by my hen will not be socialized very well. Or do they take cues from the mother?  My broody will let me put my hand under and lift up a little to see the eggs but complains a little. She goes after the cat and dogs when they go up there and she is on an outing. So I am not sure how she is going to react if I hold one of her chicks.

I've not tried messing with the chicks much, but you can certainly gather them and hold them provided the momma will let you.

 

[3riverschick]

Hi,
Hatching chicks with a broody hen for the first time. So easy, I love it!

She does all the teaching of the chicks too! Looking to get more broody hens for next year. I also want the hens to sit eggs, raise and teach the chicks to 6 weeks old. What breed or breed/mix is the best for both brooding and raising the chicks? The chicks will be Light Sussex.
Thanks,
Karen

 

[bobbieschicks]

I have decided to give you all a summary on my experience with broodies.
Number of Broodies: 11
Number of eggs put under altogether: 101
Number of eggs fertile: 11
Number hatched: 2
The 2 chicks turned out to be one boy and one girl, Bella (the girl chick) ended up being chicken aggressive and a egg eater and Asparagus (the boy) turned out to be human aggressive.
You have got to admit that my experience has been terrible so far!!

When you put it that way it sounds pretty bad

 

[Johnn]

Hi,
Hatching chicks with a broody hen for the first time. So easy, I love it!

She does all the teaching of the chicks too!Looking to get more broodie hens for next year. I also want the hens to raise and teach the chicks to 6 weeks old. What breed or breed/mix is the best for both brooding and raising the chicks? The chicks will be Light Sussex.
Thanks,
Karen

Goldtops are apparently amazing broodies and are really pretty too!

 

[Johnn]

When you put it that way it sounds pretty bad

I know! I didn't realise how bad it sounded until I walked my dog and thought about it!

 

[bobbieschicks]

any suggestions on how many eggs to put under a first-time broody?  she's a basque hen, definitely LF but not a gigantic breed, my marans and silver-penciled plymouth rocks are all a bit bigger than her.  

thanks in advance!

Depends on weather, size of broody, and size of eggs. If your weather is warming and she's medium to large and the eggs are LF and its her first time I might do 6 or 8 eggs.

 

[bobbieschicks]

Are welsummers, barred rocks, or EEs know to go broody? My other hens aren't interested, but I was wondering if I have a better chance with these?

EE are known for going broody

 

[bobbieschicks]

[COLOR=0000CD]Hi,[/COLOR]
[COLOR=0000CD] Hatching chicks with a broody hen for the first time. So easy, I love it!   e [/COLOR]
[COLOR=0000CD]She does all the teaching of the chicks too! Looking to get more broody[/COLOR] [COLOR=0000CD]hens for next year.  I also want the hens to sit eggs, raise and teach the chicks to[/COLOR] [COLOR=0000CD]6 weeks old. What breed or breed/mix is the best for both brooding[/COLOR] [COLOR=0000CD]and raising the chicks? The chicks will be Light Sussex.[/COLOR]
[COLOR=0000CD] Thanks,[/COLOR]
[COLOR=0000CD] Karen[/COLOR]

Can't beat a silky for a broody, but they don't cover much in terms of LF eggs so maybe 6 eggs.

 

[Johnn]

This is a Goldtop

 

[3riverschick]

Can't beat a silky for a broody, but they don't cover much in terms of LF eggs so maybe 6 eggs.

will they also raise and teach the chicks?
karen