Old Fashioned Broody Hen Hatch A Long and Informational Thread

[chickbird]

i would do it no more than every 3 days, if she gets off more often then let her, i just tend to let mine do things naturally based on their inbred instinct to brood and hatch. you will learn what is better for your chickens as you raise them, good luck to you.

 

[bobbieschicks]

I have 6 broody hens out of 25. 1 has chicks and 2 have eggs.

The others - I'm a bit concerned about 2 as they've been brooding imaginary eggs for about a month. I wanted to just let nature takes it course but not sure now. Do you all try to break broodies with pretend eggs?

Pretend eggs will encourage a broody rather than break her.

 

[lawatt]

day #22 for my second broody and no sign of any pips or peeps... *slightly anxious*

 

[bobbieschicks]

Bunny had the babies out in the run this afternoon. She tried to settle under the coop with them for the night, but I ran them out. I scooped some babies up and moved them into the coop. Tossed in Bunny and then grabbed the rest of the babies. Hopefully she will teach them the ramp tomorrow and things will go smoother.

 

[Island Roo]

Pretend eggs will encourage a broody rather than break her.

Thanks. What I was trying to ask about is broodies who have imaginary eggs (pretend eggs). Sometime my words are as jumbled as my mind - LOL.

Got my answer though and they are in broody jail now. They are not too happy about it - pacing and squawking. At least they are eating now.

 

[bobbieschicks]

She is still very broody!, She better not give up before Saturday!:

Looks very set in her ways. Hope she enjoys her chicks

 

[bobbieschicks]

Thanks. What I was trying to ask about is broodies who have imaginary eggs (pretend eggs). Sometime my words are as jumbled as my mind - LOL.

Got my answer though and they are in broody jail now. They are not too happy about it  - pacing and squawking. At least they are eating now. 

Oh. You mean no eggs except the ones they think still exist in their puny chicken minds. I've had broodies hang on to those as well. Some broodies don't want to give up easily and others can be broken fairly quick. Topsy would give up within a few days of no eggs at all. But Bunny wasn't stopping no matter what. Hope it works for you.

 

[OHfarmerswife]

awwwww how cute

 

[OHfarmerswife]

cuties

 

[uphilljill]

I have 26 MW turkey & Barred Rock eggs in the incubator for the Cinco de Mayo hatch-a-long due this weekend, and 9 Buckeye eggs that are due to hatch the following weekend. I was a bit worried about hatching over 2 weekends and mixing chicks of different ages together in the brooder (not to mention space,) but luckily one of my Buff Orps FINALLY decided to go broody. I'll be transferring the Buckeye eggs to her tonight. We have no rooster, and I was beginning to worry she'd miss out on the shipped eggs and a clutch of her own. Guess she just wanted us to do most of the work.

Can't wait to see cute momma hen/chick action next weekend.