Old Fashioned Broody Hen Hatch A Long and Informational Thread

[hotrodflash]

I know she probably will...but she's never been a mommy!She not even a year old yet!but we don't have a real coop yet,so she's in a big box with a lid in the basement,with a little nest box.Won't I have to get her up to eat,drink,poop etc?? I've never had any experience with this,so any assurance/help appreciated!!oh,and I've never seen her turn the eggs,is she doing it???

I never saw mine turn her eggs either but she must have, 8 of 8 hatched. She will get up when she needs to, keep an eye on her to make sure she eats, drinks and poops.

 

[Bush Chickens]

But that's the problem,what if she doesn't?and aren't you supposed to switch her to chick feed when "chick time" is close,so the chicks don't eat layer feed??

 

[hotrodflash]

But that's the problem,what if she doesn't?and aren't you supposed to switch her to chick feed when "chick time" is close,so the chicks don't eat layer feed??

Keep an eye on her weight, that will tell you that she is getting up. I have both starter and layer feed out for mine, The layer feed is hanging out of reach of the chicks.

 

[Bush Chickens]

Couldn't I just get her up once every day? Or would that stress her too much?I actually don't have any food in there just yet,but she's only been in there since sunset,so she should be good till afternoon right?(my dad won't be home till then, I'm kinda the chicken expert in my family,but I wouldn't want to get in trouble!)wait,how could you tell her weight if she's all puffed up setting?

 

[hotrodflash]

Couldn't I just get her up once every day? Or would that stress her too much?I actually don't have any food in there just yet,but she's only been in there since sunset,so she should be good till afternoon right?(my dad won't be home till then, I'm kinda the chicken expert in my family,but I wouldn't want to get in trouble!)wait,how could you tell her weight if she's all puffed up setting?

I wouldn't force her to get up, no reason to stress her. Touch her and feel her body, she may peck at you but it usually doesn't hurt. She will be fine until afternoon. I handle my chickens all the time, I want to know if something is wrong and the only way to know is to check.

 

[Bush Chickens]

If she got up,wouldn't she have pooped outside her nest,would that be a good way to tell of she got up?I'm worried she won't get up because her box is pretty dark with the lid on... man if I'm this worried,people who use incubators must pull all their hair out! I know I sound like an absolute worry wort...but,well...I am!

 

[hotrodflash]

If she got up,wouldn't she have pooped outside her nest,would that be a good way to tell of she got up?I'm worried she won't get up because her box is pretty dark with the lid on... man if I'm this worried,people who use incubators must pull all their hair out! I know I sound like an absolute worry wort...but,well...I am!

That will be a good way to tell.

 

[Bush Chickens]

Okay,thank you so much for your help,I know I must be driving you nuts with my stupid questions

 

[hotrodflash]

Okay,thank you so much for your help,I know I must be driving you nuts with my stupid questions

No such thing as a stupid question. Best of luck!

 

[Bush Chickens]

Thank you