Old Fashioned Broody Hen Hatch A Long and Informational Thread

[Johnn]

I think the whole purpose of Goldtop hens is the fact they always go broody, most people advertise them as "Broody Goldtop hens" and they aren't even broody at the time.

 

[Kassaundra]

My broody girl is at the halfway point, 11 days in 11 days to go.

 

[fisherlady]

My broody girl is at the halfway point, 11 days in 11 days to go.

Time doesn't pass quick enough when we are waiting for eggs to hatch

... then it seems to take like 5 days and all of the ones we are most attached to start to crow!!

 

[bobbieschicks]

Vanilla Ice and Shirley Jones are down to two eggs. There was one with a non developing chick that was pecked open. Removed it and left the other two. We shall see if they hatch or not.

It's 98F in the coop right now.

 

[Kassaundra]

Time doesn't pass quick enough when we are waiting for eggs to hatch

... then it seems to take like 5 days and all of the ones we are most attached to start to crow!!

Yes, I think the scientist who came up w/ the idea that time is constant didn't have chickens. lol

 

[BCMaraniac]

Yes I think I do.
I need to go to chicken rehab

If you go to rehab, who will feed them???

 

[bigT88]

hey all, thinking of using my recently going broody black australorpe to hatch some eggs. getting 2 dozen shipped. think she can sit on that many?

 

[chickydee64]

hey all, thinking of using my recently going broody black australorpe to hatch some eggs. getting 2 dozen shipped. think she can sit on that many?

That is quite a few...............if she cannot cover all of them, you could lose a lot.
I had a Wyandotte with 18 one time .but she is huge and very fluffy............
I split my 24 between two broodies..
Good Luck.........maybe someone else will have

a different idea.....................

 

[fisherlady]

hey all, thinking of using my recently going broody black australorpe to hatch some eggs. getting 2 dozen shipped. think she can sit on that many?

I agree with chickydee64... that is a lot and chances are you will lose a lot of them by trying that. There is no 'exact' number that is right for any hen since it depends on how well they pancake and fluff out over the eggs. Common practice I've heard is to place them under her one at a time till they are visible around the edges and then take back 2. This may also help prevent loss from eggs getting crushed and will give the broody more room to maneuver both herself and the eggs around in the nest.

 

[kannna]

Add Marans to that list too

Also add Langshans