Old Fashioned Broody Hen Hatch A Long and Informational Thread

[bobbieschicks]

Decided to try my own broody breaker. Hope it works. Dunking in ice water didn't work.

 

[luvmychicken]

Decided to try my own broody breaker. Hope it works. Dunking in ice water didn't work.

I tried the cold wated thing too. No luck

 

[bumpercarr]

I put two eggs under my first time brooder and 7 eggs under my experienced brooder. Since then, 2 of the clutch of 7 eggs have disappeared. My coop is snake proof, and besides, the experience broody hardly ever leaves the nest. I sat and watched the rest of the flock for a while, and I noticed that the juvenile that the experienced brooder hatched about 3 months ago kept going up into the henhouse where the broodies are. Since I suspect that he is a he and not a she, he really has no reason to be going into the house in the middle of the day. I have strong (very strong) suspicions that he is eating eggs. I've also noticed that it doesn't look like the girls are laying much, I'm only getting one or two eggs a day and should be getting at least 3 and most of the time 4 (I have 6 hens). I also noticed that the experienced broody was extremely aggressive with the young man whenever he was around her or her nest, she isn't as aggressive with the rest of the flock. So, today the young 'un is headed to a new home. I think he's the egg predator. I've also set up the camera so that I can see what is going on in there, but I think I won't see anything anymore.

Very disappointed that it took me losing 2 eggs I was trying to hatch before I realized that someone (or something) is getting to them.

 

[chickeneer45]

Two of my seven eggs have hatched! They werent supposed to hatch for another two days but i guess its fine! They are both yellow but one has brown on its head. I hope they all hatch!!! And yesterday the first chick hatched, so naturally, to continue the broody cycle, my brown leghorn went broody as well! Now both the nesting boxes are taken up... What a nuisance fingers crossed that the rest of the chicks hatch out succesfully!

 

[Donna Lynn]

Thought I'd post an update on my babies. They are two weeks old this today and Thursday. They are so stinkin' cute but it's different for me since my first three depended on me as "mommy." These two run to my barred rock, Mabel. Loving watching them grow and Mabel take care of them. Been blogging a lot so I haven't been on BYC. Hope everyone's eggs are hatching and the chicks are growing!
Alice & Myrtie

Thanks for looking!

Donna
gardensandchickensandworms.blogspot.com

 

[bobbieschicks]

I put two eggs under my first time brooder and 7 eggs under my experienced brooder. Since then, 2 of the clutch of 7 eggs have disappeared. My coop is snake proof, and besides, the experience broody hardly ever leaves the nest. I sat and watched the rest of the flock for a while, and I noticed that the juvenile that the experienced brooder hatched about 3 months ago kept going up into the henhouse where the broodies are. Since I suspect that he is a he and not a she, he really has no reason to be going into the house in the middle of the day. I have strong (very strong) suspicions that he is eating eggs. I've also noticed that it doesn't look like the girls are laying much, I'm only getting one or two eggs a day and should be getting at least 3 and most of the time 4 (I have 6 hens). I also noticed that the experienced broody was extremely aggressive with the young man whenever he was around her or her nest, she isn't as aggressive with the rest of the flock. So, today the young 'un is headed to a new home. I think he's the egg predator. I've also set up the camera so that I can see what is going on in there, but I think I won't see anything anymore. Very disappointed that it took me losing 2 eggs I was trying to hatch before I realized that someone (or something) is getting to them.

The young boys are often clingy towards the broodies and will hang around in the coop to try and snag some unsuspecting hen as his mate. I'd be surprised if he were the egg culprit. Perhaps the eggs were bad and she kicked them out or ate them herself if she doesn't leave the nest?

 

[bobbieschicks]

Bunny was still alive this morning but I heard her cluck cluck so she stays put a little longer.

 

[chickeneer45]

Its been two days since the first hatched and still no sign of anymore hatches... I hope they start coming out today and tomorrow or else broody hen will probably just leave the remaining eggs...

 

[Roxannemc]

Wondering How long will chicks continue to go under moms wings.?i have 2 about a month old and last I saw they did .well take it back.. this week .she gets them to fly up into the raised coop and perch by her now with some of the rest of the flock

When will she be broody again ?Any schedule?
Oh and another broody with 3 week old chicks is out with them all day and then at night sits on a nest of eggs!
Do they have any chance to hatch with so little attention?

 

[Johnn]

I have been able to have a good look at my broody's nests today because I had more time. Anyways, Yous know how one of the broodies broke a egg and had one left which as dirty? Well I put that under the other broody and give the one on the floor a clean one. She has managed to get that one dirty too. Do the eggs even stand a chance anymore?





Heres the other broodies eggs: