Old Fashioned Broody Hen Hatch A Long and Informational Thread

[A6chickenhome]

So if I hatch out eggs laid by my broody hen I have a better chance of getting another broody???

Also, I am interested in purchasing another broody hen towards the spring if anyone is in or near Tennessee.

 

[rebrascora]

I assume that broodiness is a genetic trait, since some breeds are more inclined to it than others, but that may be an over simplification on my part.
I have 6 pullets from my first broody and I fully expect to be overrun with broody hens by next spring as a result.... they have just started laying and are displaying similar sneakiness as regards where they lay them as their mother did, so I have a gut feeling that they may even go broody themselves before the year is out.

Sadly, I don't live close enough to loan you one.

I probably need to get to work on building a broody breaker cage as I already have 2 enthusiastic broodies and they managed to hatch and rear 31 chicks this last summer. I can't afford to feed any more! This chicken maths gets out of control rather quickly if you take your eye off the ball!!

 

[Kaylish]

So if I hatch out eggs laid by my broody hen I have a better chance of getting another broody???

Also, I am interested in purchasing another broody hen towards the spring if anyone is in or near Tennessee.

It is my understanding that it is both genetic and enviromental. A pullet hatched from an egg layed by a hen that is prone to broodiness is more likely to go broody (genetic). Also, a pullet hatched by a broody (doesn't need to be her eggs) will be more likely to brood (enviromental).

 

[TeaChick]

It is my understanding that it is both genetic and enviromental. A pullet hatched from an egg layed by a hen that is prone to broodiness is more likely to go broody (genetic). Also, a pullet hatched by a broody (doesn't need to be her eggs) will be more likely to brood (enviromental).

That's a win-win, if my broody hatches the eggs I've got under her.

 

[A6chickenhome]

It is my understanding that it is both genetic and enviromental. A pullet hatched from an egg layed by a hen that is prone to broodiness is more likely to go broody (genetic). Also, a pullet hatched by a broody (doesn't need to be her eggs) will be more likely to brood (enviromental).

That's pretty cool that they are also more prone to brood if they were brooded! Thanks Kaylish.

 

[Lady of McCamley]

Fascinating discussion of broody genetics vs. learned behavior. I agree with Kaylish that both come into play, with perhaps genetics more heavily weighted.

I would want a broody hen's egg that was brooded...should be more predominately broody!

Found this article which is a fun read on chick and mother interaction.

http://www.extension.org/pages/6617...mall-and-backyard-poultry-flocks#.VH5RlTHF9vU

Happy brooding
Lady of McCamley

 

[Kaylish]

Fascinating discussion of broody genetics vs. learned behavior. I agree with Kaylish that both come into play, with perhaps genetics more heavily weighted.

I would want a broody hen's egg that was brooded...should be more predominately broody!

Found this article which is a fun read on chick and mother interaction.

http://www.extension.org/pages/6617...mall-and-backyard-poultry-flocks#.VH5RlTHF9vU

Happy brooding
Lady of McCamley

Thanks for the article - got some more good info from it.

And I think I may have just hit the broody jackpot. My broody just hatched one of her own chicks, it's blue - just like her. I'm soo hoping for a girl.

 

[CandylandRanch]

Help I'm pretty sure the fate is sealed.. But I need to be told. I have a hen in the coop laying boxes that has been sitting for about 14 days now on 7 eggs.. I went in this afternoon and she was in the wrong box.. The eggs were pretty **** cold.. Coop temp is mid 30s.. She was on them late last night.. But who knows how long she has been off.. Could have been all morning.. I should have checked earlier... I was going to bring her inside tomorrow to finish the hatch.. These embryos are dead aren't they....?

 

[bumpercarr]

Help

I'm pretty sure the fate is sealed.. But I need to be told. I have a hen in the coop laying boxes that has been sitting for about 14 days now on 7 eggs.. I went in this afternoon and she was in the wrong box.. The eggs were pretty **** cold.. Coop temp is mid 30s.. She was on them late last night.. But who knows how long she has been off.. Could have been all morning.. I should have checked earlier... I was going to bring her inside tomorrow to finish the hatch.. These embryos are dead aren't they....?

Might not be. If she's back on the nest, they might survive. If she's not back on the nest, they may have died and that is why she left the nest. If you can manage it, try to get through to the 21 days with either the broody or an incubator...that is really the only way to be sure.

 

[Lady of McCamley]

Help

I'm pretty sure the fate is sealed.. But I need to be told. I have a hen in the coop laying boxes that has been sitting for about 14 days now on 7 eggs.. I went in this afternoon and she was in the wrong box.. The eggs were pretty **** cold.. Coop temp is mid 30s.. She was on them late last night.. But who knows how long she has been off.. Could have been all morning.. I should have checked earlier... I was going to bring her inside tomorrow to finish the hatch.. These embryos are dead aren't they....?

I agree...don't panic..I'm sure you've already got them under mom again. You may lose one or two, but chances are you will likely get at least one or two out of the hatch...if not all of them.

I have been amazed at how hardy the embryos can be under mom and how I got something even in non-ideal conditions.

So, all hope is NOT lost...it just means you will not likely get a 100% hatch rate....ride it out to day 22 to see what happens...you may simply get a lag in development time and a slightly longer hatch date.

Lady of McCamley