Old Fashioned Broody Hen Hatch A Long and Informational Thread

[OHfarmerswife]

My SFH are begging to hatch, 2 out of 12 so far.
First time broody, Welsley, a welsummer.
Third broody for my first year of hatching...... ,I am hooked!!!!!

 

[Johnn]

soooooo cute

Thanks

 

[5 Acre Rooster]

Just updating on my broody and chicks. She and all babies took to the brood pen I made just fine. All 8 babies alive and well at D10. Had 1 escape but got it back in w/o much fuss. Even though the bottom is playwood and solid she still scratches for them. Even when water/food are on top of flooring/bedding. Apparently she is preparing them for the real world where its not all served in a dish for them. Being completely free range before this I though she might not settle in the pen but seems as long as she has her chicks she'll be fine for awhile. Until she decides its time for her babies to grow up I guess.

PS I was gonna read thru missed post until I saw there was 122 of them for me. Sry alot of stuff going on in my own little poultry world lately, as well as garden lawn kids etc etc. Will try to check in more here. Really will if I get luck enough for another hen to decide to sit. Except my guineas, of which I now have 3 on nest, 2 I know where they are at least.

 

[bobbieschicks]

Interestingly the broodies are sitting on the extra green egg this morning still with baby under too. Then again temps outside dropped from 90Fs to 75F overnight due to thunderstorms passing thru. I doubt there's anything growing in that egg as it was due to hatch on Tuesday. I'll remove it later today when the broodies are out with the baby. Vanilla Ice is vicious when it comes to protecting her baby and Shirley Jones is no cream puff either. For two small girls they sure puff up and peck big!

 

[Johnn]

 

[bobbieschicks]

They look very happy.

 

[Johnn]

They look very happy.

Thanks

 

[OHfarmerswife]

Six of my SFH out of 12 have hatched. One sadly was stuck in the shell and I tried to help but it was already dead.

Yesterday was day 21, how long should I leave the other 5 eggs, mom is still sitting tight!

 

[bumpercarr]

Most everyone on the board has said to leave them for at least 24 days or until Mom gets off of the nest. I saw someone on here say that they had one hatch at 27 days! If you have an incubator, you can use that for a few days if mom leaves the nest with the chick. I put food/water right next to momma so that the baby and her can get nutrition. Good luck!

 

[cheeseball]

My silky just hatched her 2 eggs, and she's still sitting, she has no more eggs , how long before she'll get up and show her baby chicks the world?