Old Fashioned Broody Hen Hatch A Long and Informational Thread

[5 Acre Rooster]

Hoping one of my BPR is broody. She's been acting that way for a day now. I have plenty of incubator space but still like it when someone else does all the work/worry for me. Might be time to get the broody pen ready. Last year my 1st broody ever I let stay in nest box for 1-1/2 weeks hen moved her with great success. This year I have a lot more mature birds though might not work as well.

 

[Johnn]

Was she growling and screeching at you?? Mine does. Then she strikes like a vicious viper.

Yep, she was!

 

[Johnn]

My silkie hen has one chick that hatched early

 

[MountainSeramas]

One of my most favorite hens started screaming at me and demanding to be carried around like a baby about a week ago. I thought she might be going broody so I made her a personalized nest in a "secret" place. She was pleased, threw some straw on her back, and growled at me (loudly!) and looked as if she was waiting for me to do something. I gave her five or so eggs and she happily rolled them under her. She's been sitting on them for a couple of days now and lifts her chest up and opens her wings whenever I check on her. She loves to show me what she's doing! So anyway, I have three broodies now (I deterred five or six others from trying to go broody). The seramas are so funny and unique. Gotta be careful with them because they hatch like there's no tomorrow! I have one of those giant cabinet GQFs and it's been collecting dust since last summer. I'm keeping my fingers crossed in hopes that my hens have some fuzzies soon!

 

[cheepcheep riri]

I would like to join this thread. I have a hen sitting on 20 eggs that barely fit! She its on day 14!

 

[LisaLouHoo]

I would like to join this thread. I have a hen sitting on 20 eggs that barely fit! She its on day 14!

Wow, that's a nestful. Can't wait to hear about her progress. I'm waiting for my broody from last year to get ready, but nothing so far. I have my eggs all lined up when she's ready. The lady told me they give lots of extras so for a doz, they'll give me 16-18. I thought that would probably be too many for my buff orpington, but if your mama can do 20!!!

 

[cubalaya]

can you see the feet of the chicks. there are 6 of them.

 

[chickensnbees]

can you see the feet of the chicks. there are 6 of them.

Six feet or six chicks? I see them just can't count them all! Congrats on the babies! More pics when they aren't so camera shy?

 

[Scrambles55]

I would like to join this thread. I have a hen sitting on 20 eggs that barely fit! She its on day 14!

Welcome to the brood!!

 

[Scrambles55]

I can still hear chirping from the nest box.

If more are to hatch... today is the day!!

Please... please... please... let more babies hatch and survive!