Old Fashioned Broody Hen Hatch A Long and Informational Thread

[minihorse927]

Really need to go candle lil miss witch's eggs but do not feel like being pecked. Think I am going to wait till Sunday. Maybe she will give me an easter suprise of a 100% developing rate. LOL, I doubt that for shipped eggs but we will see. My incubators seem to be doing a pretty decent job but nothing beats that broody that I don't have to check the temp and humidity on!

 

[Sunny Side Up]

I recently bought shipped eggs for the first time and was glad there were 2 of my more reliable hens ready to brood when they arrived. I would trust their skills over an electric incubator. I didn't want to bother them by candling those eggs and one hatched all 6 of hers, the other hatched 5 out of 7. Right now both hens are sharing a pen and the chick-rearing duties.

 

[chickenmomma16]

So I am on day 14 today and I snuck in and candled the eggs while mommy to be was dust bathing and all looks good so far. One thing I am curious about is my hen looks to have eaten another one of her eggs she was sitting on. Has anyone had their hen do this? All her eggs seemed to be developing fine. She didn't smash it because there was no mess. She flipped it out of the nest box when she was done with it.

 

[bobbieschicks]

So I am on day 14 today and I snuck in and candled the eggs while mommy to be was dust bathing and all looks good so far. One thing I am curious about is my hen looks to have eaten another one of her eggs she was sitting on. Has anyone had their hen do this? All her eggs seemed to be developing fine. She didn't smash it because there was no mess. She flipped it out of the nest box when she was done with it.

They will sometimes do that to the duds or ones they know are not developing. You may want to scramble her some eggs and feed her a bit to be sure she's not eating it for the protein.

 

[3 NH reds]

I think I will move my broody this weekend. I've got a 6x8 pen with a small dog house I plan on converting. I'm going to modify the doghouse roof so I can easily access the inside and put a nest box in. My question is this:I'm a little worried about reintegrating my broody. She is a bottom hen and if she doesn't hatch any eggs I worry about her getting beat up when she goes back with the rest. Should I put a friend in there with her? Thanks for your help. I'm a broody newbie.

I doubt she needs company. I have a Broody Buff Orpington that is the bottom of the pecking order. When I tried to put her back in the layers coop after she had her brood she was getting beat up bad and was afraid to come off the roost. The Golden Comets were the bully bunch so they got moved for one week and things were back to normal. When I put the Comets back in they were better and another Buff was protecting Broody from them.

I recently bought shipped eggs for the first time and was glad there were 2 of my more reliable hens ready to brood when they arrived. I would trust their skills over an electric incubator. I didn't want to bother them by candling those eggs and one hatched all 6 of hers, the other hatched 5 out of 7. Right now both hens are sharing a pen and the chick-rearing duties.

I would take a Broody over the incubator any day. I just used my new Hova 1588 and got 9 of 12 eggs to hatch. I would forget to add water and it runs out quickly. Now I have a Broody Ranger that I plan to give her some eggs. Just so much easier to let them take care of it all

 

[countryhen]

I recently bought shipped eggs for the first time and was glad there were 2 of my more reliable hens ready to brood when they arrived. I would trust their skills over an electric incubator. I didn't want to bother them by candling those eggs and one hatched all 6 of hers, the other hatched 5 out of 7. Right now both hens are sharing a pen and the chick-rearing duties.

they don't fight each other or peck others chicks? I have two broody silkies right now would be good if I can put em both in same pen with their babies

 

[Johnn]

Here is a re-make photo, look at the size difference! (it's the same water feeder)

 

[Miss Lydia]

Here is a re-make photo, look at the size difference! (it's the same water feeder)

Asparagus has turned into a handsome fellow [roo]

 

[Johnn]

Asparagus has turned into a handsome fellow [roo]

Thanks

 

[Sunny Side Up]

they don't fight each other or peck others chicks? I have two broody silkies right now would be good if I can put em both in same pen with their babies

They were already coop-mates, and did their brooding in side-by-side wire cages so they're familiar with each other. The chicks hatched at the same time and all look alike. I don't usually do this, but gave it a try to see if I could reduce my chicken chores. I watched them carefully when I first put them together and still keep them under close observation. The chicks follow either hen, I haven't marked them to see if the same chicks go to sleep under the same hen each night. One of the hens is a bit more bossy and does fuss a bit occasionally with the other hen. But they're tending to the chicks well and not really hurting each other, so I'm glad to leave them as is.