Old Fashioned Broody Hen Hatch A Long and Informational Thread

[bumpercarr]

@Angiebubs . The chick that was hatching didn't make it.

I think I got most of the yuck out. I'm just going to give it a few days and see what she does. I just hope I at least get one more so I don't have a lone chick.

my broody has been very tolerant, but I'm getting the vibe if I do much more she will leave the nest.

A lone chick with its mother isn't so bad. Its when they are raised alone in a brooder that they sometimes fail to thrive. So, don't worry too much if it is the only chick, it will have mom for company.

 

[bobbieschicks]

Thought I heard a faint chirp sound while I was feeding her some bread a bit ago. She took the bread and did the "here's some food for you chick" cluck and looked like she was going to feed someone but then :/ate the bread. So perhaps I was hasty in my assessment of nothing in the other eggs. Time will tell.

 

[bobbieschicks]

A lone chick with its mother isn't so bad.  Its when they are raised alone in a brooder that they sometimes fail to thrive.  So, don't worry too much if it is the only chick, it will have mom for company.

Ditto. I've had broodies raise and intergrate into the flock a single chick without issue.

 

[bobbieschicks]

Sorry to hear that your hatch is not going well, Bobbieschick. It must be heartbreaking to find dead chicks. I hope your broody takes consolation in her EE chicks when you get them.
I'm still reeling from my beginners luck but it's entirely down to my little Tasha. When I bought her 6 months ago, no body would bid for her at auction and I was told I could have her for £5. She not very pretty and was supposed to lay blue eggs but she doesn't, she lays little ivory ones, but she more than redeems herself as a wonderful mother. It's amazing how she manages to keep all 14 chicks with her all day (free ranging) and then gets them all up to roost with her at night. When I catch the one that needs it's bum bathing, she gives me such a hard time, but I know she's just protecting her chicks and it's great that she has such a strong instinct to do so.

Anyway, I must head back up to the yard with some warm water now to give it another bath so fingers crossed I get things moving again!

Thank you. I feel sorry for her. I think she will quickly take in the EE chicks as she's ready to be done sitting as are the other two broodies. I'm looking forward to the chick arrival next week, hopefully by Weds.

 

[bobbieschicks]

Good news! She has one chick walking around under her drying off! I caught a glimpse and heard it chirping just a few seconds ago! So she's got one baby! Not the six I hoped to get, but that's fine.e

 

[fisherlady]

Good news! She has one chick walking around under her drying off! I caught a glimpse and heard it chirping just a few seconds ago! So she's got one baby! Not the six I hoped to get, but that's fine.

 

[bumpercarr]

Good news! She has one chick walking around under her drying off! I caught a glimpse and heard it chirping just a few seconds ago! So she's got one baby! Not the six I hoped to get, but that's fine.

Don't you feel like you just birthed a baby yourself! Having a broody can be as bad as being pregnant yourself!

 

[bobbieschicks]

Don't you feel like you just birthed a baby yourself!  Having a broody can be as bad as being pregnant yourself!

Haha, yes.

 

[bobbieschicks]

e

Thanks!:yiipchick

 

[Johnn]

Good news! She has one chick walking around under her drying off! I caught a glimpse and heard it chirping just a few seconds ago! So she's got one baby! Not the six I hoped to get, but that's fine.

Was sad when I read through the posts seeing she didn't have any, so glad she has something now!