Old Fashioned Broody Hen Hatch A Long and Informational Thread

[Faraday40]

I after school tutor private ESL and phonics/reading/thematic units from my home so I merely take the kids to the coop to look. I keep kiddie size rubber boots by my work boots so we tromp out to the coop together, and my broody hutch is waist high with peep holes for the kids.

We first do the 4H Incredibile Egg unit, candling a store egg and inspecting it after cracking noting the anatomy and purpose of each structure...then we tromp out to observe the hen. I then grab an egg and candle to show progress. After hatching, the kids can watch the hen and chicks through the wire panel doors for the first couple of weeks. I limit handling so as not to stress the chicks, but we do gently handle one of the chicks for a minute or so for a first time, after that I do not let the kids handle them as too much handling is not good for the young chicks.

Broody hatched chicks are less tame and I do not want to interfere with their bonding with mom as that keeps them safe. I also do not want to overstress mom (which can bring unwanted even disastrous results) so we observe more than handle. I am of the camp that this teaches kids to respect animals in their element and to think of the animals' welfare first...but I am not intending in any way to preach at those who like to interact with their animals more.

Since the chicks are not held a lot, I always bring treats to hand feed the broody and chicks without holding the birds but letting them run in and out of my flat palm with food, which I allow a child to do if I have a child with me. The children learn the animals are living creatures of nature with needs. We discuss those needs and the natural care of the hen. We watch the hen call and feed her chicks from the pile of scratch.

While the chicks are not cuddle pets, they quickly become calm around me and any visitor and will run to the wire gate when they see us.

If you keep the treat and greet routine, they stay friendly. I make a point to "chook" at them and talk to them so that most of them come on voice command. To help ease of handling any after they become pullets, I condition them to do so at roost time with a treat and greet and progressive petting with voice cues.

If I remain consistent (which sadly I don't always have time to do), the bird will become quite handable, but at the least all my birds run to me on sight and voice call and do not fight frantically if I have to pick them off a perch at night to tend to in some way.

Anyway that's how I do it. Some of this obviously doesn't transcribe to a classroom situation (which is why I love private tutoring) but some of the techniques should apply.

HTH
Lady of McCamley

Isn't it nice that chickens train so easily with food! I nearly get run over when my flock sees me! They're usually underfoot & will follow us around the yard. (We call it the chicken parade.)

Your ESL class sounds like fun!

 

[ochochicas]

Quote: From what I remember, when the momma leaves them for good, they will become more friendly with you if they are used to you being around. Mine get lost now and can't get back to their brooder. They let me pick them up more easily when the mom isn't around. They also go through a stage when they are very flighty (around 12 weeks) and then their personality changes and they can be more friendly afterwards.

 

[Rhys1377]

Hi there
Our Australorp has been sitting on her 6 bantam eggs for 18 days now! Just wondering if it's true Bantam eggs tend to hatch early? And should I be making sure the other chickens don't go near her too much?

 

[Lady of McCamley]

Hi there
Our Australorp has been sitting on her 6 bantam eggs for 18 days now! Just wondering if it's true Bantam eggs tend to hatch early? And should I be making sure the other chickens don't go near her too much?

Bantam eggs take 21 days too. I've often had broodies hatch at day 20, though.

Yes, I always do best to have the brooding hen and then very young chicks separate from the others. It just saves a lot of potential hassle with interruption of the hen and feeding and protection of the chicks.

However, if she has made it to day 18, leave her where she is. It is easy to move momma AFTER the chicks hatch if she needs a better spot.

Be sure to chick proof the area wherever they are kept. Little chicks are masterminds at getting themselves into trouble through the smallest nook and cranny.They can strand themselves from momma and never seem to figure out how to get back. In this cooler weather, they chill very quickly.

Hopefully you'll have a little brood soon.
Lady of McCamley

 

[Rhys1377]

Bantam eggs take 21 days too. I've often had broodies hatch at day 20, though.

Yes, I always do best to have the brooding hen and then very young chicks separate from the others. It just saves a lot of potential hassle with interruption of the hen and feeding and protection of the chicks.

However, if she has made it to day 18, leave her where she is. It is easy to move momma AFTER the chicks hatch if she needs a better spot.

Be sure to chick proof the area wherever they are kept. Little chicks are masterminds at getting themselves into trouble through the smallest nook and cranny.They can strand themselves from momma and never seem to figure out how to get back. In this cooler weather, they chill very quickly.

Hopefully you'll have a little brood soon.
Lady of McCamley

Thank you for that, hopefully all goes well then!

 

[Kaylish]

I was able to candle 11 of the broody eggs yesterday evening when 2 of the broodies were off the nest - all are going strong (day 16)

I'm pretty amazed since these eggs were all abandoned overnight in 35 degree weather when I made the mistake of trying to move the nest on day 7 (they were brooding in the same nest as my 1st mama with five 5 week old chicks - I've since moved the Mama and babies instead)

 

[Lady of McCamley]

I was able to candle 11 of the broody eggs yesterday evening when 2 of the broodies were off the nest - all are going strong (day 16)

I'm pretty amazed since these eggs were all abandoned overnight in 35 degree weather when I made the mistake of trying to move the nest on day 7 (they were brooding in the same nest as my 1st mama with five 5 week old chicks - I've since moved the Mama and babies instead)

So happy for the good development...yes, the embryos can be amazingly hardy which is why I tell people not to give up when an egg gets cold if you can put it back under a hen or in an incubator.

Lady of McCamley

 

[vpatt]

I'm pretty sure ive read this on BYC and probably on this thread.....but I don't seem to understand how to search threads. But my question is.....using broodies helps to introduce their chicks into the flock more easily doesn't it? I mean in comparison to us raising the chicks and introducing them. I am sure there CAN be problems no matter the method used. I am seriously planning on buying some hatching eggs...if broody times coordinate with hatching egg availabily. I know if I see chicks in the feed store I am going to want some of them.......but it sound s much easier for the broody to do the work....but I may try it for the experience.

Jessica and her chicks are well. My attempts at a makeshift fence failed. She had them back out with the flock within an hour of my fence construction.....did I say I'm not a carpenter or fence builder? My problem is that the chickens are working faster than me. I need to get someone to make me a brooding nest and my help all want to wait for warm weather while the broodies want to do it now.......I need to get crackalackin before another broody surfaces. But the chicks seem to be fine now. I think my 'help' caused the issue. But I am watching as closely as I can to be sure they are safe.

 

[bumpercarr]

I'm pretty sure ive read this on BYC and probably on this thread.....but I don't seem to understand how to search threads. But my question is.....using broodies helps to introduce their chicks into the flock more easily doesn't it? I mean in comparison to us raising the chicks and introducing them. I am sure there CAN be problems no matter the method used. I am seriously planning on buying some hatching eggs...if broody times coordinate with hatching egg availabily. I know if I see chicks in the feed store I am going to want some of them.......but it sound s much easier for the broody to do the work....but I may try it for the experience.

Jessica and her chicks are well. My attempts at a makeshift fence failed. She had them back out with the flock within an hour of my fence construction.....did I say I'm not a carpenter or fence builder? My problem is that the chickens are working faster than me. I need to get someone to make me a brooding nest and my help all want to wait for warm weather while the broodies want to do it now.......I need to get crackalackin before another broody surfaces. But the chicks seem to be fine now. I think my 'help' caused the issue. But I am watching as closely as I can to be sure they are safe.

I leave my broody and chicks with the rest of the flock. It really just depends on your flock dynamics. I raise brahmas, so they are all pretty laid back and generally avoid confrontations with each other. Other breeds may look for confrontation and chicks are the perfect subject to get into a fight over. So, you have determine which works for your flock. But yes, generally a broody raising chicks takes care of all of the things that you have to take care of when you raise your chicks in a brooder, including introductions.

 

[vpatt]

I leave my broody and chicks with the rest of the flock.  It really just depends on your flock dynamics.  I raise brahmas, so they are all pretty laid back and generally avoid confrontations with each other.  Other breeds may look for confrontation and chicks are the perfect subject to get into a fight over.  So, you have determine which works for your flock.  But yes, generally a broody raising chicks takes care of all of the things that you have to take care of when you raise your chicks in a brooder, including introductions.

Thank you bumper! I apoligze everyone....had a senior moment there combined with chick anxiety, lol. I couldn't find the post I was looking for and couldn't remember exactly what I had read. It sounds so much easier to let the broody do the work. But I realize some of the cuddliness is missing with the broody doing it..but it seems to me to be the best way to go.....but like I said it would be good experience to raise a few myself and I think i would learn something.
thnx again and sorry again for the brain lapse.