Old Fashioned Broody Hen Hatch A Long and Informational Thread

[bobbieschicks]

well, my hatch has come to an end. I went the whole 24 days without candling in hopes of having a perfect outcome and after going beyond the 21 days I finally candles lay night and the eggs are not good. They must have died early on when the first one exploded Anyway, there's a happy ending, she took right to my 2 black australorps and my bantam mystery chick. They are so cute! See ya next time. Probably in June, lol. Good luck all, I'll be checking in for pics and I'll post one of my little adopted family.

Awh. Sorry it didn't work out. Late winter hatches are often a risk. Hope she gets another chance

Congrats on the fuzzy butts! Glad momma is happy.

 

[bobbieschicks]

Went out to check on everyone. Bunny still sitting on her two remaining eggs. I have no idea if they are good. Time will tell. They should hatch by Weds if good.

I also found my Lavender Orpington Buffy standing in the corner under the nest boxes between the wall and the stool. She was straddled over top of my White Leghorn Snow White's back. I wondered what in the world she was doing and then I realized she was laying her egg, at the same time Snow White was laying her egg. As I stood here watching out popped first a brown egg and then a white egg. Lol! I tried to get their picture but they hurried off before I could get the camera to work. Too funny.

 

[leela2012]

Hello Chicken Hatching Experts!
I was hoping for some specific advice? We have a first time broody Polish hen. She has been sitting for about 4-5 days on non fertile eggs. I want to get some fertile eggs for her to hatch and be a Mom to. The thing is, I have never done this, and I don't want to skip any steps and lose any babies. Just some relevant info to help you; we live in California and it's spring, so it's relatively warm here. Our backyard flock consists of 5 hens: 2 are big girls (RIR, Americauna - both very domineering) and then we have our a banty Millie, silky, and our subject (Ms. Lady Gaga, our soon to be Polish Mom). They are all about the same age, all are laying and only she and our silkie have ever gone broody. So, here are my questions:

***This is her first broody period.

1. She is in a communal next box, should I try to move her? Should she be in a solitary environment (babies also)? I worry this will break her, or freak her out.

2. I am going to get about 4-6 fertile eggs, half from one person and half from another (2-3 days apart), do they only start to develop once they get to a certain temp under the hen, or do they need heat as soon as they are laid? I assume they don't start development until they are heated up to a certain temp (being that people can ship them and such).

3. How can I make sure they are in fact fertile eggs, and are ready for hatching?

4. Can I put the first few eggs under her and then add the rest a few days later? In the chance that they do hatch, I don't want the ones who still need a few more days to get nixed.

3. If I do place the fertile eggs under her, will she lay on them until they all hatch, or will there be a chance that a week before they are due, she could suddenly decide she doesn't want to sit anymore? (given I am not sure how long a hen will be broody)

4. How can I check them half way through to see if they are developing right?

5. How many chicks can a polish handle?

6. If she doesn't hatch her eggs and they die for some reason, can I put 2 day old (feed store) chicks with her and she will adopt them?

7. Is there anything else I should know, or do to lower the risk of egg/chick mortality?

I am sorry for so many questions, I just want to make sure I make Momma chickens baby making experience her best I am so excited to do this with her!

Kindest,
Lea

 

[3 NH reds]

Hello Chicken Hatching Experts!
I was hoping for some specific advice? We have a first time broody Polish hen. She has been sitting for about 4-5 days on non fertile eggs. I want to get some fertile eggs for her to hatch and be a Mom to. The thing is, I have never done this, and I don't want to skip any steps and lose any babies. Just some relevant info to help you; we live in California and it's spring, so it's relatively warm here. Our backyard flock consists of 5 hens: 2 are big girls (RIR, Americauna - both very domineering) and then we have our a banty Millie, silky, and our subject (Ms. Lady Gaga, our soon to be Polish Mom). They are all about the same age, all are laying and only she and our silkie have ever gone broody. So, here are my questions:

***This is her first broody period.

1. She is in a communal next box, should I try to move her? Should she be in a solitary environment (babies also)? I worry this will break her, or freak her out.

2. I am going to get about 4-6 fertile eggs, half from one person and half from another (2-3 days apart), do they only start to develop once they get to a certain temp under the hen, or do they need heat as soon as they are laid? I assume they don't start development until they are heated up to a certain temp (being that people can ship them and such).

3. How can I make sure they are in fact fertile eggs, and are ready for hatching?

4. Can I put the first few eggs under her and then add the rest a few days later? In the chance that they do hatch, I don't want the ones who still need a few more days to get nixed.

3. If I do place the fertile eggs under her, will she lay on them until they all hatch, or will there be a chance that a week before they are due, she could suddenly decide she doesn't want to sit anymore? (given I am not sure how long a hen will be broody)

4. How can I check them half way through to see if they are developing right?

5. How many chicks can a polish handle?

6. If she doesn't hatch her eggs and they die for some reason, can I put 2 day old (feed store) chicks with her and she will adopt them?

7. Is there anything else I should know, or do to lower the risk of egg/chick mortality?

I am sorry for so many questions, I just want to make sure I make Momma chickens baby making experience her best I am so excited to do this with her!

Kindest,
Lea

I would be careful on moving her, she might just give up on the eggs. I moved one at 2 weeks but she was in the same box same hay etc.
You are right about being able to store eggs for a hatch so long as it does not get to cold or hot. I store mine in a basement. 10 days is the max for storing them
The only way I know to check eggs to see if they are fertile and can be hatched is to crack the open on a plate and look at the yolk. It will have a small white spot. If there is a bulls eye in the middle it is fertile.
As far as will she sit on the eggs all the way thats something thats impossible to say. I think if she has gone 4 days and nights without leaving except for food that is the best start. She will also try to keep you away from the eggs. The less stress she has the better chance she will sit on them
You can go in at night and candle eggs but I don't. I just don't wanna disturb Mom and she knows a bad egg and will cull it. .
Lucky for us Momma knows the best way to hatch. Chickens do not read books or posts I discovered but Broody's hatch rate is higher than my incubator so she showed me up. Really leaving her to do her thing is best.

 

[bobbieschicks]

I would be careful on moving her, she might just give up on the eggs. I moved one at 2 weeks but she  was in the same box same hay etc.
You are right about being able to store eggs for a hatch so long as it does not get to cold or hot. I store mine in a basement. 10 days is the max for storing them
The only way I know to check eggs to see if they are fertile and can be hatched is to crack the open on a plate and look at the yolk. It will have a small white spot. If there is a bulls eye in the middle it is fertile.
As far as will she sit on the eggs all the way thats something thats impossible to say. I think if she has gone 4 days and nights without leaving except for food that is the best start. She will also try to keep you away from the eggs. The less stress she has the better chance she will sit on them
You can go in at night and candle eggs but I don't. I just don't wanna disturb Mom and she knows a bad egg and will cull it. .
Lucky for us Momma knows the best way to hatch. Chickens do not read books or posts I discovered but Broody's hatch rate is higher than my incubator so she showed me up. Really leaving her to do her thing is best.

Xs2. The only thing I would add is that as long as both egg sources have a rooster, there's a good chance the eggs are fertile and you don't need to crack any to double check.

I would assume they are fertile and candle on day 7 in the evening. By that point you should be able to either see a developing chick in a light color shell egg or thru a dark color shell egg see a spot or at least not clear. I have done both the separate them and the leave them alone paths. Either is fine.

 

[bobbieschicks]

Hello Chicken Hatching Experts!
I was hoping for some specific advice? We have a first time broody Polish hen. She has been sitting for about 4-5 days on non fertile eggs. I want to get some fertile eggs for her to hatch and be a Mom to. The thing is, I have never done this, and I don't want to skip any steps and lose any babies. Just some relevant info to help you; we live in California and it's spring, so it's relatively warm here. Our backyard flock consists of 5 hens: 2 are big girls (RIR, Americauna - both very domineering) and then we have our a banty Millie, silky, and our subject (Ms. Lady Gaga, our soon to be Polish Mom). They are all about the same age, all are laying and only she and our silkie have ever gone broody. So, here are my questions:

***This is her first broody period.

1. She is in a communal next box, should I try to move her? Should she be in a solitary environment (babies also)? I worry this will break her, or freak her out.
solitary gives her the most secure environment and less stress for you.
2. I am going to get about 4-6 fertile eggs, half from one person and half from another (2-3 days apart), do they only start to develop once they get to a certain temp under the hen, or do they need heat as soon as they are laid? I assume they don't start development until they are heated up to a certain temp (being that people can ship them and such).
they develop once she starts to sit on them. Store them pointy end down for the couple of days. Put a book under the egg carton and rotate them like using an auto egg turner starting on the 2nd day until you get them under her.
3. How can I make sure they are in fact fertile eggs, and are ready for hatching?
if they have a rooster chances are good they are fertile
4. Can I put the first few eggs under her and then add the rest a few days later? In the chance that they do hatch, I don't want the ones who still need a few more days to get nixed.
wouldn't do that. Creates a staggered hatch
3. If I do place the fertile eggs under her, will she lay on them until they all hatch, or will there be a chance that a week before they are due, she could suddenly decide she doesn't want to sit anymore? (given I am not sure how long a hen will be broody)
she will stay with them.
4. How can I check them half way through to see if they are developing right?
candle with a flashlight. Search for candling instructions
5. How many chicks can a polish handle?
i would give no more than 8 if she's large due to new broody
6. If she doesn't hatch her eggs and they die for some reason, can I put 2 day old (feed store) chicks with her and she will adopt them?
asolutely. Do it at dark and check in the morning
7. Is there anything else I should know, or do to lower the risk of egg/chick mortality?
when they are hatching resist the urge to peek and lift the hen

I am sorry for so many questions, I just want to make sure I make Momma chickens baby making experience her best I am so excited to do this with her!
you will do fine
Kindest,
Lea

 

[OHfarmerswife]

Went out to check on everyone. Bunny still sitting on her two remaining eggs. I have no idea if they are good. Time will tell. They should hatch by Weds if good.

I also found my Lavender Orpington Buffy standing in the corner under the nest boxes between the wall and the stool. She was straddled over top of my White Leghorn Snow White's back. I wondered what in the world she was doing and then I realized she was laying her egg, at the same time Snow White was laying her egg. As I stood here watching out popped first a brown egg and then a white egg. Lol! I tried to get their picture but they hurried off before I could get the camera to work. Too funny.

crazy chickens!

 

[3 NH reds]

I have a new one, one of my Ranger hens is broody. This is day 4 and she has the stare down perfectly, she wont come out for fermented mash and she used to be the 1st out there. I just hatched some chicks in my new incubator but I am looking for more. I am leaving her alone and plan to give her some Jersy Giant eggs when I get enough for her. I just never thought of a meat bird going broody. They also are good egg layers.

 

[countryhen]

getting some shipped eggs want to put em under my now other silkie that has went broody(she saw the other & wanted some eggs too!) Are there any special things I need to do when my shipped eggs get here, have heard lots about the air cell being detached due to shipping? Do I put eggs under broody right away or sit them in an egg carton for awhile first to make sure air cell is re-attached??

 

[Johnn]

Not sure if you can see the pic properly, its through the shed window (yes im nosey) but its the hen on my walk with her chick, I don't know how many she has though. I'm so glad it worked out for her because it was snowing quite a lot whilst she was sitting: