Old Fashioned Broody Hen Hatch A Long and Informational Thread

[chickydee64]

I've made my red sex link Lemon's day. She's been broody, and being broody has made her dopey. She tried to take a dust bath on my lap and couldn't remember what nest she was supposed to be on, so, since she's so friendly and is a favorite, I ordered her some chicks. They arrived today, all alive! Three naked necks, two dark brahmas, one california white, three mottled houdans, one barred rock, one golden sex link, and two mysteries, which appear to be a sex link and a barred rock. All pullets except the houdans, which are straight run.

I decided to give her five and see how she does for a few hours, and if all's well, she'll get the rest before I leave for work. She was so happy when she heard the peeping. I took her eggs, put a chick in front of her, and she got all excited, like "Is that for me?" She raised up, encouraged it under her, and sat back down. I tucked the other four under and so far so good. She's happy as, well, as a broody with chicks.

Thanks for the story. actually made me teary.........
There is nothing sweeter than a broody with chicks..........

you did good............

 

[CarolinaHen]

So my Polish is "broody" if you want to call it that. She is sitting on the golf balls we have as snake deterrents. She rearranges them, protects them, and is determined to stay put on them. I've tried giving her chicks but she wouldn't accept them. I've given her eggs, but she doesn't want them either. She keeps pushing the eggs out of the nest and stealing balls and rocks to sit on.

 

[chickydee64]

OK,
A little update on my hens.......
I have four right now.3 with chicks.one setting ..........
I have an old hen.sets two clutches a year.......one of the others it is her first clutch.
Each have a private nest area.I open them during the day so the hens can be out with their chicks.
The older hen has been trying to steal the young ones chicks for almost a week.
She goes right into the young hens nest area, calls her chicks then sits on them..........
chases the young one off..............I put a stop to her being able to do that
locking the young hen in.
Let them out together today and the two hens decided to share chicks.............
No fighting and the chicks did not care who was taking care of them.
It was a blast to watch them.one hen would have 2 chicks and the other 6.
Later one had 5 and the other 3..... or one would keep some warm while the older hen taught them to scratch and find food.........
Fasinating, did not get much work done today....just could not quit watching them.
I am so glad they have not read any of the books describing chicken behavior...............

Also glad my hens have read that they slow down laying at 3 years old.
My 5 year old easter egger lays 5 a week like clock work.....

 

[Jharper]

So my Polish is "broody" if you want to call it that. She is sitting on the golf balls we have as snake deterrents. She rearranges them, protects them, and is determined to stay put on them. I've tried giving her chicks but she wouldn't accept them. I've given her eggs, but she doesn't want them either. She keeps pushing the eggs out of the nest and stealing balls and rocks to sit on.

Haha.

 

[chickydee64]

I've made my red sex link Lemon's day. She's been broody, and being broody has made her dopey. She tried to take a dust bath on my lap and couldn't remember what nest she was supposed to be on, so, since she's so friendly and is a favorite, I ordered her some chicks. They arrived today, all alive! Three naked necks, two dark brahmas, one california white, three mottled houdans, one barred rock, one golden sex link, and two mysteries, which appear to be a sex link and a barred rock. All pullets except the houdans, which are straight run.

I decided to give her five and see how she does for a few hours, and if all's well, she'll get the rest before I leave for work. She was so happy when she heard the peeping. I took her eggs, put a chick in front of her, and she got all excited, like "Is that for me?" She raised up, encouraged it under her, and sat back down. I tucked the other four under and so far so good. She's happy as, well, as a broody with chicks.

Thanks for the story. actually made me teary.........
There is nothing sweeter than a broody with chicks..........

you did good............

 

[Jeniferl29]

I have a new baby chick! I went down to make sure the coop was locked and I checked under one of my broody mamas and there was a little tiny wet blue baby cochin bantam under there! So adorable. It didnt look much bigger than a bumblebee. It is the first chick we have ever hatched and upon further inspection we have four mor pipping right now! Soooooooo excited!

 

[lilliesanchicks]

I have a new baby chick! I went down to make sure the coop was locked and I checked under one of my broody mamas and there was a little tiny wet blue baby cochin bantam under there! So adorable. It didnt look much bigger than a bumblebee. It is the first chick we have ever hatched and upon further inspection we have four mor pipping right now! Soooooooo excited!

 

[lilliesanchicks]

Here they are 9 out of ten eggs hatched.

 

[chickydee64]

I have a new baby chick! I went down to make sure the coop was locked and I checked under one of my broody mamas and there was a little tiny wet blue baby cochin bantam under there! So adorable. It didnt look much bigger than a bumblebee. It is the first chick we have ever hatched and upon further inspection we have four mor pipping right now! Soooooooo excited!

 

[Jeniferl29]

We have had 5 more hatch out but one hatched out under a different hen and she kIlled it. What the heck? I am sooooo upset. It died in my hand.