Old Fashioned Broody Hen Hatch A Long and Informational Thread

[NHchicks]

One of my broodies has only 2-3 days left and I'm about to explode, I can't wait. She's sitting on 5 bought dominique eggs, but we'll see if they hatch - I sure hope so. I didn't candle. I'm too afraid to stick my hand in there as it is, it'll get bitten off. I don't have dominiques, so it would be a neat addition to have some grays running around.

It was in the low 90s today - I hope the eggs don't get too hot. Yikes.

Broody #2 is due to hatch in about 10 days, she has a barnyard mix (6 bought eggs) under her. She hatched a beautiful brood of our own eggs last spring, went broody again in the fall with no rooster and I wasn't about to hatch more chicks in the fall so she just had to tough it out, I was always throwing her off the nest and she was always trying to find her way back in. It's so sad. Anyway, this is her 3rd time being broody. Wow, is she is a brooder. I should rent her out. Ha. I don't even want more chicks, but I can't disappoint a broody.

Anyway, just counting the days here. Better get the dog crate nursery ready tomorrow. I have one really mean 2 yr. old hen who likes to fling chicks through outer space. Grrr.

 

[chicken delighted]

just found this thread.

i have broody hens also ,2 of the hens are setting on eggs another hen is now hatching welsummers chicks today. some due the 9 of june and i have a broody getting ready for a batch comeing this week. my hens have been going strong since feburary. it been fun but also crazy at times. we just took some of the roos to the amish for processing. if feel bad but one can only keep so many roosters

 

[Miss Lydia]

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I know what you mean about dissapointing the broody, I have #9 now and tried to discourage her but she just kept insisting so now she has 2 eggs. Congrats on the hatch, and don't forget the pictures

 

[Miss Lydia]

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Thats the only thing that has been keeping me sane is the fact that some of these chicks will be in our freezer and we won't be wall to wall chickens. It's so hot we have fans in both coops and the chikens are still panting. Ducklings hatching this week too..

 

[Cindilou]

So, I have an Easter Egger that started laying the day after Easter and now won't get off the nest in the box. I do not have a rooster so there is nothing viable at the time. I am contemplating getting some fertile eggs for her to sit on. This has been going on for about a week or so, puffing up, getting crabby when I open the box to collect eggs, etc. The question I have is that I am in Florida and it is already 90 degrees during the day. Our chicken areas are under a giant tree that keeps the backyard at least 10 degrees cooler than the unshaded areas but is is too hot to let her hatch eggs? This is pretty much the first time this has happened and she seems pretty intent on being a mommy.

What do you think?

 

[newlyweds]

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Get that little Momma some eggies. I am in Texas already well into the 90's and I have several broodies doing a great job, I've notice they adjust their bodies to keep the eggs at the perfect temp, smart little ladies.

 

[Cindilou]

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Get that little Momma some eggies. I am in Texas already well into the 90's and I have several broodies doing a great job, I've notice they adjust their bodies to keep the eggs at the perfect temp, smart little ladies.

Alright, I will try and get some eggs for the little lady.

Something new everyday with these girls.

 

[Laigaie]

I've got a Wyandotte who seems to be playing with the idea of going broody. We live in the city, so we can't keep a roo. If she does decide to go broody, you guys think anyone would notice us buying a few hatching eggs and setting them under her? Also, what's the deal with banties hatching LF eggs, but nobody using LF to hatch banty eggs?

 

[Fuffy]

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Living in the city and putting eggs under a broody? Well I guess it depends on the regulations you have where you live. If it were me I'd think long and hard about what if they turn out to be boys!

As for LF sitting on bany and vice versa...Maybe size matters. If you want smaller hens/eggs in your flock, then there's no reason not to put bantam eggs under a broody LF.

Good luck with your wyandotte!

 

[herbandteas]

I have 2 broody's that have been sitting on eggs 2 chicks hatched so far and hope the other 3 are there in the morning. I want to take them away from the broody's because the last time I let a hen sit on eggs the chicks died because of the big chickens.