Old Fashioned Broody Hen Hatch A Long and Informational Thread

[chickengirl88]

How big does a pen for broody hen need to be
How do you put eggs under a broody hen
When do you put eggs under a broody hen

 

[chickeneer45]

How big does a pen for broody hen need to be
How do you put eggs under a broody hen
When do you put eggs under a broody hen

1.) big enough for the hen to have a good place to stretch her eggs and get food and water so relatively big space (although i have never done this and have had three perfectly good hatches without separating the broody momma hen
2.) if you really dont want to disturb her, i suggest doing it at night and gently slipping them under her, or when he gets up for food and water do it, although my broodies couldnt care less when I slip eggs under them at all tines of the day
3.) As long as they are broody, they can have eggs slipped under them, normally they will stay broody until chicks appear unless it has been an obscene amount if time (ie: 6 months to a year) As I have been told many times, broodies dont know how long theyve been sitting they dont keep track of days

 

[chickeneer45]

I have three hens and two roosters. Last Tuesday, one of my hens went broody. Two days later a second hen went broody. And just yesterday my third hen went broody. Its really weird because they all sit together in a big huddle and rotate the eggs between them as if they were one giant bird. I am really worried of how this is going to work out once the eggs hatch. Does anyone have any advice on separation in this scenario? Thanks.

 

[chickydee64]

I have three hens and two roosters. Last Tuesday, one of my hens went broody. Two days later a second hen went broody. And just yesterday my third hen went broody. Its really weird because they all sit together in a big huddle and rotate the eggs between them as if they were one giant bird. I am really worried of how this is going to work out once the eggs hatch. Does anyone have any advice on separation in this scenario? Thanks.

mine just raise the chicks together..................

 

[jojosthings]

Hey, I don't know if I'm doing this right I'm a first timer on all counts!!! I have 2 buff orps sitting really well on 1/2 dozen eggs. Theyre on day 6 now. Problem is they wouldn't be moved so they've set up camp in the nest boxes of my coup, which means their nests are very shallow! I've gone out a couple of times and found an egg or 2 had rolled out! Assumed coz they were cold they would've died but no!! Candled a good few yesterday and all the ones I pulled out were really healthy viable eggs!!!

But today same thing one little egg not in the nest and stone cold!!!

I thought maybe she'd pushed it out coz it was dud but no! When I checked it it had a really good veiny tiny embryo in there! I've put it in the bator incase she wouldn't take it back cold.... Will it have died!!!??!! this is my first time and I'm a nervous parent!! Lol

any help would be so appreciated!

 

[ihavechickens]

I am sad 2 of my chicks hatched only to be squished by the broody mum

 

[imzadi]

HI all...have a light brahma bantum who went broody and wouldn't STOP (nothing worked) so...we gave her some eggs to sit on, put her in our tractor and...well, there she sits. Been about 2 weeks. Kinda excited if the eggs DO hatch; they will be part olive egger part...um...something (all our roos are mix breeds...)

Anyway, few questions:

1. not sure the eggs were fertile...the olive egger only started laying about a month ago. So, if they aren't? Will she just sit there forever or will she get the hint after a while and just leave them?

2. Candeling: I don't have a "candeler"...so, can I use a flashlight? How...and how do I get the eggs from her...and how long do I have to do it before it could cause an issue to the egg?

3. She was given THREE eggs...now, she's only sitting on two. Um...where'd the other one go? (it's not in the tractor that I can see)

Thanks

 

[chickengirl88]

If chicks appear will the hen stop sitting on the eggs

 

[hotrodflash]

If chicks appear will the hen stop sitting on the eggs

Some broodies will stay with the eggs for 48ish hours. Others will leave them sooner.

 

[imzadi]

Thanks...but, if they are INFERTILE...there won't ever be a chick...will my brahma just sit there and sit there and sit there for months and months since they just aren't hatching? I mean, heck, she sat on ping pong balls for the longest time