Old Fashioned Broody Hen Hatch A Long and Informational Thread

[ChickenLady2014]

Good morning! Some Mama and Chicky pics to begin your day...

Aww they are so cute, I so want a broody hen to do the incubating for me.

 

[kristin07035]

Find the chicky....

<3 the find the chicky pics! This is one of my favorites baby Noelle is a week old today

 

[AnneInTheBurbs]

Not a problem on the different feeds, we often give the little ones the 24% for the first couple of weeks and I have never noticed a problem.

The change in feed can cause the hen to start molting.  One of my broodies started to molt when the chicks hatched but the other one did not.  It was probably time for her to molt anyway since she was just coming up on a year old.  Her feathers will be growing back as the chicks are weaned and she'll be ready to lay again!  

Thanks!

<3 the find the chicky pics! This is one of my favorites baby Noelle is a week old today

Aw, so cute! I loved raising my hatchery chicks from day olds last year, but I am really enjoying seeing a Mama do her job, what a difference!

 

[K Epp]

I have a Australorp that go's broody once a year. She stays with her chicks until they leave her. I think its a wise way to keep the roos at bay. Hen with 4 month old babies. She is a wonderful Mama.

 

[Lady of McCamley]

Hey guys, it's normal for my broody Mama to start molting after the chicks are born, right? She has been shedding a ton of feathers, it's crazy!

Oops, and I made the mistake of buying "Chick Starter" from TSC instead of "Chick Starter/Grower". The first is intended for turkeys and other poultry and has a higher protein content (24%). I will be switching them tomorrow when I get the correct feed. Hope I didn't do any long term damage.

It is normal for a broody to molt at the end of brooding. The change in hormones brings on the molt (you will see the same effect in mammals and humans after giving birth).

For the hen, I peronally think it is Nature's way of being sure momma gets cleaned up after being unkempt on the nest for 3 weeks then having chicks running, and pooing, in her feathers. My first time broody had me worried as to how I would clean her up after all this brooding and mothering, then she molted and saved me the bother. I've watched with each hen since, and yup. they molt too...some just harder than others.

I agree with the others that a short time on 24% protein won't hurt, but I wouldn't go beyond a week or two unless you are raising breeds that need higher protein such as meat birds. Keeping the protein too high for an extended period with the usual layer type breed can cause joint issues as the chicks will grow too rapidly and outstrip their frame growth....but a few days won't hurt.

Lady of McCamley

 

[Lady of McCamley]

Are there ways to encourage a broody?

You cannot force a brood if the hen is not ready or of the brooding type, as her hormones have to be right, BUT you can tip the scale on a hen that is of a broody nature and is close to being ready.

As the pre-brood hormones begin to kick in, the hen will exhibit certain behaviors. She begins to gather eggs, either laying one a day or stealing a few from others, and will linger for long periods of time on the nest, but yet foraging in the yard several times each day.

As her clutch grows, a pressure point on her breast bone will kick in the "setting" hormones once she has a full clutch (how many depends on the size of the bird). Once she has arrived at the magic number, the pressure on that spot triggers the set. Knowing that, leave either fake eggs or throw away eggs in her nest spot, enough to make a nice little clutch.

Warmth also helps trigger the brooding hormones, so her nest should be of nice nesting material such as soft pine shavings or soft hay so that it becomes warm and cozy as she sits in it. That will heat up her breast as well, helping to trigger those setting hormones. (Many hens will pluck their breast so that the eggs will get a better direct heat transfer...if she does that, you know she is in the mood.) Keep her area free from cold drafts and moisture, but you do not need to heat the area unless you are in the very frigid north, like Alaskan sub-sub-zero temps. The hen will keep herself warm enough as long as she it out of drafts and direct weather.

Many hens also respond well to dim light and a quiet corner added to the above.

If you think your hen is contemplating brooding by exhibiting the pre-brood behaviors,.then set her in a quiet, secluded spot, that is cozy and dimly lit, load up her clutch, and I've even blocked her exit (providing food and water nearby but not in the nest) if I really need a broody NOW to save eggs that another quit on...the worst that will happen is she gets frustrated and restless...I watch closely...but with really broody types, like Silkies, I've had them trigger into a nice set for me.

Good luck with brooding
Lady of McCamley

 

[ChickyChickens]

New to this thread & broodys in general....

Last summer, we had an accidental broody. When she couldn't be broken, I gave in & allowed her to be a mom. 5 out of 6 hatched & "Princess Lay-a" was a perfect mom. She even adopted an extra 4 chicks of the same age. (I was lazy & didn't want to set up a brooder, so she did it for me.) Sometime around 3.5 weeks, we sold all the chicks. She looked for them in the garage (were we relocated her nest) & then started laying a week later.

Now (7 mo later) I am catching Princess sneaking into the garage again. (She had a molt, then rest period, & is laying again.) Could she be looking for her nest/ broody cage?

My next question is how do you determine a "broody's spread" to figure out how many eggs to give? Is it the area covered when she flattens out including all the fluff or just the area of her body? I have a bantam Orpington - lots of fluff & my accidental broody - smooth body. I think both may go broody, so I want to know which I should use.

Bantam Orp, Cookie (nickname "the Bantam Menace")


Mutt, Princess Lay-a

Aww, the white one with her chicks is ADORBALE!!!

 

[AnneInTheBurbs]

It is normal for a broody to molt at the end of brooding. The change in hormones brings on the molt (you will see the same effect in mammals and humans after giving birth).

For the hen, I peronally think it is Nature's way of being sure momma gets cleaned up after being unkempt on the nest for 3 weeks then having chicks running, and pooing, in her feathers. My first time broody had me worried as to how I would clean her up after all this brooding and mothering, then she molted and saved me the bother. I've watched with each hen since, and yup. they molt too...some just harder than others.

I agree with the others that a short time on 24% protein won't hurt, but I wouldn't go beyond a week or two unless you are raising breeds that need higher protein such as meat birds. Keeping the protein too high for an extended period with the usual layer type breed can cause joint issues as the chicks will grow too rapidly and outstrip their frame growth....but a few days won't hurt.

Lady of McCamley

Thanks! I will be picking up different feed today, and some mealworm treats for my poor chickens in the rain today. They are all huddled on the porch.

 

[A6chickenhome]

I just lost my first hen to a hawk. What does everyone do with the carcass? Should I just let the scavengers have it so at least it's not a total waste to nature? My poor little chicken, she was the only one that wasn't a good flyer.

 

[ChickyChickens]

I just lost my first hen to a hawk. What does everyone do with the carcass? Should I just let the scavengers have it so at least it's not a total waste to nature? My poor little chicken, she was the only one that wasn't a good flyer.

Aww, sorry!!

WEll...i bury my bodies....