Old Fashioned Broody Hen Hatch A Long and Informational Thread

[Miss Lydia]

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Congratulations and I think we all love hatch day, it's so exciting.

 

[stonykill]

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Congratulations and I think we all love hatch day, it's so exciting.

x2!

 

[TarHeelBlue]

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I agree. I am fairly new to the "chicken game" (a little over a year) and have had 2 hens go broody. I wasn't sure they would stay, so I put 2 eggs under one and one under the other. We now have three of the cutest chicks following their momma everywhere!! And I left them in the coop for the entire time. No problems at all.

 

[Miss Lydia]

Most other members of the flock will respect mama hen and chicks, I did have a few mamas go at it when they all hatched at once and chicks would get confused on whos mama was whos. lol,

My little chick that hatched yesterday has lived 24 hrs. now. it has a strong peep and I am hoping it will make it. Hasn't been too interested in eating yet ,but did drink some water when I dribbled it along it's beak. The little duckling that mama duck didn't want is also doing great, it is so cute and I will post pics tomorrow. We have our Grandkids for 2 weeks and it's hard to get much done.

One of our Muscovy girls went missing this evening when time to put everyone up for the night, I am hoping she has a hidden nest and is there and nothing has sneaked in a grabbed her. She is very special. So please be thinking about Sophie tonight that she'll be home tomorrow. Thanks.

 

[stonykill]

I hate it when they don't come home at night. You will see her tomorrow!

 

[HHandbasket]

I hope your girl comes home! Sending good vibes her way.

 

[JulieNKC]

Is there anything I can do to help make my broodies comfortable in the heat? My BO broody gets up and goes out and takes breaks throughout the day, but my silkie won't move. I put a handful of food in front of her every morning, and I put the water bowl in front of her and let her drink 2-3 times a day at least. My coop is in the shade and pretty well ventilated, but it's just plain hot out. The poor girl just sits there panting. I sprinkled some cool water on her back today, but don't know what else to do. Luckily she is a sweet broody and lets me mess with her. The BO puffs and shrieks and growls when she is on the nest, but doesn't try to bite either. It would be nice if she would babysit the eggs for the silkie while the silkie takes a break like the silkie does for her, but that hasn't happened yet.

 

[perchie.girl]

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I know you must live in a humid climate. But you might consider using those misters that hook up to a garden hose and combine it with a box fan that can be hung from over head support. I have friends in PA that use those box fans in their horse barn. One for each horse hung from the bars outside their stall. The fan in the very least will draw the hot air that the chicken generates out of the nest box. Water when it evaporates reduces the air temperature by about ten to fifteen degrees. Providing it Can evaporate. The humidity has to be pretty low for it to work at its optimum.

My climate is very very dry so I have been considering using one of my old swamp coolers for those 110 days (not the heat index the actual heat). These coolers work best with several windows open.

Also concrete stepping stones when soaked completely will remain cool for several hours before they have to be soaked again. I used to use those to keep my guinea pigs cool in the summer. they would sprawl out on them like they were sun bathing.

Fresh air circulating air evaporation and shade is about all you can do.

 

[JulieNKC]

The run is also covered, so when I've been changing the ducks pool water I've been spraying the top of the coop and run hoping it would help. I'm just scared to do it too often, there's so much shade where they are it takes forever for the ground to dry. Everyone else free ranges, and finds nice cool spots. If I froze milk jugs and placed them around the coop would that help? I'm just scared a fan or something might spook her off her nest.

 

[nursemeh]

I have to say that i LOVE this thread!!!

We are "newbies" to chickens, only 2 years, but we have had a broody hen hatching experience for the last 2 springs. It is wonderful!!! I just never imagined that it would be such an interesting thing to watch and be a part of- to see the momma hen be so dedicated, watchful and doting over her brood- so sweet!!!

We now have an integrated flock of multi-aged hens/pullets- they all get along nicely.

We have several 6-10 wk chicks that we got from the feedstore and they are in the coop with the 2 8 wk old chicks that were raised by their broody momma and they are so different from their feedstore counterparts. The hen raised chicks are always the first out freeranging. They sleep together in a different spot. They just act different- like they know they are special cause their momma raised them up right!!!

Have fun with your broodies!!!!!!

Mary