Old Fashioned Broody Hen Hatch A Long and Informational Thread

[purplesquirrel]

Awh I love to see hens with their chicks, it just feels so right! Unfortunately I don't have a broody hen, just a loud, wurring incubator so that'll have to do!

I've always wondered about temperature for chicks. I have 2 that are about 3 1/2 weeks old now and they have their heat lamp in my brooder, but chicks with mums seem to bare the outside temperatures! Even if they do get to huddle under mum for a bit, it can't be all that warm as she walks about outside. How come chicks are so hardy compared to advice for temperatures given to hand raised ones? Are we being a bit too soft with our hen-less chicks?

 

[Johnn]

these are wonderful Johnn, thank you for sharing with us!

Thanks

 

[momofthehouse]

How in the world do you even get under a broody hen to collect extra eggs or add eggs? Sounds like she would bite your hand off!!

 

[CooperDooper]

My broody girl is very sweet so far. She let me pick her up and collect the eggs from the other hens before I got her the fertilized ones. Now that she's on them I've left her alone to do her thing.

 

[fisherlady]

How in the world do you even get under a broody hen to collect extra eggs or add eggs? Sounds like she would bite your hand off!!

They do growl and squawk a bit, but if you are quick, and wear long sleeves they really don't hurt too much most of the time. If they are used to being handled they are even better about it. I have a few broodies who squawk but don't try to bite, one who bites if she even thinks you are getting too close to her and one who allows herself to be lifted up and eggs pulled and checked without even making a fuss at all.

I try to minimize the number of times you have to bother the broody, but checking for extra eggs is something you need to do once in a while if they are in an open nest area of the coop, just wear long sleeves and have a folded towel close by on the floor to set eggs on as you pull them so you aren't fumbling around. Or even better, wear a head light, make sure your eggs are marked the whole way around, then when you lift her you will be able to immediately see which eggs don't belong and will only have to touch those you are removing.

When I add eggs I usually just set them in front of the broody in the nest and she is happy to drag them under her without assistance.... when she is busy tucking one under her you can add a few more under her or set them nearby for her to do.

 

[mrstodd]

How in the world do you even get under a broody hen to collect extra eggs or add eggs? Sounds like she would bite your hand off!!

My broody is ok with me. I can take her eggs from her to candle or I can feed her treats. I can also pet her cute wittle head until she nods off. But if you're my husband or another hen look out!! She is extremely growling and pecks! I think she's ok with me because I hand raised her. I LOVE MY BROODY!!!!!

 

[chickenwisper44]

I have a hen that a week ago finally went broody -- she is laying on about 12 or more eggs and she has not gotten off of them since she started. Feb 29 th first day and I have added some eggs from my other hen as she does not want to nest on her eggs we are hoping they all hatch. I have taken out some of her eggs as she let's me check them and does not peck me -- she is a sweetheart. She has until March 18th should be hatch day for some of them -- some could take up to day 20 th or so.This is our first hatching too. Good luck with your hen hatching too.

 

[chickenwisper44]

All the time when my hens are in their regular nest boxes I go in and pet them and talk to them. They have gotten use to this. I can go under the one that has gone broody and she is being such a sweetheart. I can hand feed her some food and I dip my finger in her water to put some on top of her beak to get her to drink a little. When she went broody I was in the hen house and she looked at me and I kept telling her to get on her eggs and all of a sudden it was like a light bulb went off in her head and she looked at me and went right over to her nest and laid down and has been there since. That is Molly my Buff Orpington hen.

 

[fisherlady]

I also posted this over on the Broody Hen thread... but thought I'd share here to show that broody raised chicks can be pretty winter hardy... Central Pennsylvania has been pretty cold recently (with the exception of last Saturday, with a beautiful 42* day)

Our broody has been bringing the babies (now 2 weeks old) into the main coop area to mix with the flock.



Mindy's fluffy tail is a favorite play and scratching spot for the babies (and often mama hen also)


one of our roosters, Gabby, loves hanging out with the babies.... he has helped raise 4 or 5 clutches this past year.

He calls he babies over to share goodies he finds... (his comb has blu-kot on it from frostbite, that is why it looks black)


Rosie with 5 of her 6 chicks lined up, Mindy is watching #6 who is busy scratching behind the baby gate area...



Once again we find the babies hanging out with Mindy, mama hen has no problem with her, so the chicks act like she is just part of the coop. We had the main door open this day while I was cleaning the coop, it was 42*F outside (though the sun was nice) and the chicks are 15 days old and running all over the place without a care in the world.

 

[kimmerjo]

Joining! Must read thread. I have my first broody hens. 8 chicks due this week...I think!