Old Fashioned Broody Hen Hatch A Long and Informational Thread

[kingdr85]

Pale combs are normal on broody hens...no worries!

 

[NotAFarm]

Last year my broody's comb got very pale while sitting. She got some color back in it as soon as she started going out with her chicks but it didn't get really red until she was ready to start laying again. Kinda like a very young pullet gradually gets a red comb before starting to lay. Right now, Chickie Mama is on day 10 with her clutch. She is in an extra large airline dog carrier by herself. She has access to crumbles and water 24/7. I open the crate door each morning when I'm in the barn and she gets off the nest and does her business and has whatever snack (her favorite is canned whole corn) I'm handing out, and then settles back on her nest. Love my broody girl!

 

[Fuffy]

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Beautiful Mamma and gorgeous babies!!!!

Hope there are more later!

 

[momofdrew]

today is day 21 and we have a hatch...I need to go move her and her clutch into the cat carrier...the last time we had a hatch babies hopped out of the nest and couldnt get back in, fortunately it was summer then... We are getting snow today and it is just at 32*so I need to make sure everyone is safe...I really appreciate this post...

 

[Suechick]

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And thanks to kingdr85 (I couldn't figure out how to quote both of you...)
Thanks!! The support from BYC has been so helpful. What a relief. I had been wondering about treating for parasites and really starting to worry about what that might do to an already stressed hen.

Thank you

 

[Miz Mary]

Here's my first chickie !!! Looks like a Partridge Silkie x Mille Fluer D'Uccle ! 5 feathered feet !

 

[shellyga]

I am so excited.. my very first broody hen is hatching out.. we were super busy this weekend and didn't get her moved to a more secure location away from the flock...we figured the hatch date to be 22nd - she had to take her vacation on the top row of nest boxes

so DH and I finally got everything ready.. we tried to move her off the EGGS.. and she pecked the .. well she pecked my poor DH terribly bad!

I finally put a towel over her.. lifted to put in new cage with nest of EGGS.. and SURPRISE.. a chick dropped on the floor of the coop!

We quickly moved the nest with 8 of the 12 eggs already nice fluffy chicks!

Two more are pipping. I have already sold 6 of them so I do hope that the others hatch so that she has at least 4 to raise.

I want to get some pictures and will soon.. I just want her to settle in for a day or so. Can't wait to see how this goes.

Shelly

 

[quiltnchik]

I went to TSC today to pick up a few things and, while there, decided to see if they had any bantam chicks I could give to my broody hen; she's been broody since January and has had one egg mishap after another, so it's time for her to come off the nest. All they had were 3 Mallard ducklings and some Cornish X chicks, so I almost walked away. But then I had a light bulb moment: why not let my broody raise my meaties for me?!? I bought six of them and, though it took a while to get her to settle down and accept them, they're now one big happy family

 

[kuntrygirl]

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Awwwwwwwwwwwwww, how cute. I love it!

 

[kuntrygirl]

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Beautiful pics. Thanks for sharing.