Old Fashioned Broody Hen Hatch A Long and Informational Thread

[bumpercarr]

Well, she hatched 3 eggs out and then left the nest to take care of the three chicks. I suspect that one or two fell out and she felt that she didn't have any choice but to go to them. Next time, I'll have a better system set up for her. Anyway, here she and her brood are. Notice that she is not really liking the camera

 

[Funky Feathers]

My silkie hens FINALLY hatched out my first Call ducklings of the year! Yaay!!

 

[Pyxis]

Well, Penny's back on the nest, phew! It seems that when she gets up and goes outside for food she gets 'distracted' and doesn't go back for a VERY long time, so for now she's locked in the box until tomorrow when I can build her something that'll allow her to get up and off the eggs and eat and drink without having to go outside.

 

[kannna]

Love the Ducklings. I especially like the last one with the one looking through his legs like he just discovered his tail.

 

[OHfarmerswife]

My broodie refuses to go into the pen where she hatched her chicks.

She now sleeps in one of the nesting boxes with all 8 chicks!!

 

[bobbieschicks]

Okay. Anyone have success with putting chicks under a broody during the day? I'm talking early morning hours? The chicks are supposed to be in about 8am on Monday morning.

I don't want to have to worry about keeping the chicks warm from morning until night time if I don't have to. So I want to slip the chicks under Bunny like she somehow hatched them, but I don't want to have to do it at night.

 

[bobbieschicks]

My broodie refuses to go into the pen where she hatched her chicks.

She now sleeps in one of the nesting boxes with all 8 chicks!!

Awwwhhh. So cute!

 

[EggieRowe]

Figured this would be a good place to ask, how long does a broody tend her chicks? My broody hatched 3 chicks earlier this month, but only one survived. One was weak from the start and another was viciously attacked by the flock. I isolated the broody and remaining chick in an XL dog crate in the coop. Now I'm scared that when she is done she will also turn on the chick. Or does that not happen? I figure her chick has another two weeks to full feathers and I can try to let them out with the flock.

 

[bobbieschicks]

Figured this would be a good place to ask, how long does a broody tend her chicks? My broody hatched 3 chicks earlier this month, but only one survived. One was weak from the start and another was viciously attacked by the flock. I isolated the broody and remaining chick in an XL dog crate in the coop. Now I'm scared that when she is done she will also turn on the chick. Or does that not happen? I figure her chick has another two weeks to full feathers and I can try to let them out with the flock.

Broody hens typically raise their chicks to 4 or 5 weeks, protecting them, teaching them how to find food, how to roost, preparing them to be independently in the flock, and integrating them into the flock. After that its up to the broody's temperament how long she will keep them with her. Yes she will eventually peck it away if she's doing her job properly.

I would work on getting those two back with the larger flock ASAP or prepare to brood the chick yourself.

 

[EggieRowe]

Broody hens typically raise their chicks to 4 or 5 weeks, protecting them, teaching them how to find food, how to roost, preparing them to be independently in the flock, and integrating them into the flock. After that its up to the broody's temperament how long she will keep them with her. Yes she will eventually peck it away if she's doing her job properly.

I would work on getting those two back with the larger flock ASAP or prepare to brood the chick yourself.

I originally let her raise the chicks with the flock. The weak chick I found mostly buried in the coop litter and died the next day. No obvious wounds, but it did always stand too close behind mama when she scratched and got kicked a lot. The second one the flock nearly skinned alive - all around the neck and under a wing. It died the next morning despite no gaping wounds. Then when I was cleaning the isolation pen and let broody & last chick out, the chick got startled and its distress drew all the hens in from the run. They tried to kill it in a frenzy - it was like pirrahnas. I'm not sure how that chick is ever going to make it!