Old Fashioned Broody Hen Hatch A Long and Informational Thread

[Hayduke27]

It's day 21.5 for me, and I just gave the cochin a gentle lift to peek under her. Out of 6 eggs, I could see 3 that were not zipped or anything, and there was 1 little grey and yellow fuzzy butt. I pulled out the hatched eggshell. That means there are 2 eggs I couldn't see, and anything could be happening with those. I hope at least 1 more hatches so the little grey guy has a sibling!

 

[ShinShien]

my phone doesn't take the best pictures. maybe a few chicks can be made out.

 

[Lady of McCamley]

@ShinShien and @Hayduke27

Congratulations on the fuzzy beaks....hope more come Hayduke....but if you only get one, it'll do fine. I did put a couple of fosters in that are doing fine now (second try...first foster dummy succumbed to a stupid chick trick).

LofMc

 

[ShinShien]

@ShinShien and @Hayduke27

Congratulations on the fuzzy beaks....hope more come Hayduke....but if you only get one, it'll do fine. I did put a couple of fosters in that are doing fine now (second try...first foster dummy succumbed to a stupid chick trick).

LofMc

Thanks. Number 8 never did hatch. Had to toss it. I suppose 7 out of 8 is a good hatch rate, though.

 

[Angie16hearts]

So it's been 6 weeks momma has been with babies. Her comb started turning pink again about a week ago. She has been let out today with no interest in chicks!! She's desperately trying to get in one of our 4 laying boxes to lay. I think? Is it time for her to lay? And time for her to leave her babies? I'm sitting outside watching her frantically running in and out of the standard coop and even trying to get in our bantam coop. I don't want to start that habit! Is this normal?do I separate her from the babies and put her back in with the flock?

 

[Kaylish]

She'll be fine with LF...you've given her 4 eggs and that is a good number...I have trouble getting 6 hatched with a Silkie in cooler weather as the fringe eggs seem too get to cold. The chicks will grow faster such that she'll be dwarfed by her children, but she'll do her best to keep them warm and loved and it will be endearing.

Since she is on almost an perpetual brood, just give her some extra treats that are high protein and good probiotics like chopped eggs and yogurt. You might put some Chick Saver vitamins/electrolytes in the water...that's like Gatoraid. 

I typically just keep my perpetual mommas on the Chick Starter (non-medicated) and Chick Saver as it is high protein and high vitamins for those quick snatches of food she'll be getting and put out the calcium grit for those seasons she is actually laying (few and far between).

You should also check her over for mites/lice. Silkies are a magnet for those anyway, and a broody hen doesn't dust bathe as often which can cause a build up. I shake a little Poultry Dust (permethrin type) under the bedding (but not so it comes in contact with the eggs) and using a sock with the powder in it, powder puff her under her wings and at her vent. I once had a small out break when the babies were hatched, and I simply dusted momma really good knowing the babies would run through her feathers and get treated as well. I had no issues.

Happy hatching
LofMc

Thanks for the tips. That pen is fed chick starter since I have a roo and babies in there. I'll make sure to check her over for mites and get some dust to have just in case.

 

[rebrascora]

Yes 6 weeks is within the normal timescale for her to cast off her chicks and start laying again. My first broody went from being a devoted and doting mother one day to, a chick hater/abuser the next and would not tolerate them within several feet of her. That was the day she started laying again. It was a real shock for the chicks and me too for that matter! Thankfully there were 13 of them for moral support and warmth. My broody had reared them within a large mixed flock so they were already integrated, so she just chased them off and headed into the nest box to lay an egg and thereby make a start on her next brood.

 

[fisherlady]

Yes 6 weeks is within the normal timescale for her to cast off her chicks and start laying again. My first broody went from being a devoted and doting mother one day to, a chick hater/abuser the next and would not tolerate them within several feet of her. That was the day she started laying again. It was a real shock for the chicks and me too for that matter! Thankfully there were 13 of them for moral support and warmth. My broody had reared them within a large mixed flock so they were already integrated, so she just chased them off and headed into the nest box to lay an egg and thereby make a start on her next brood.

x2.... six weeks is normal range. Chicks raised in the coop should be fine by that age to be on their own.

 

[Angie16hearts]

Yes 6 weeks is within the normal timescale for her to cast off her chicks and start laying again. My first broody went from being a devoted and doting mother one day to, a chick hater/abuser the next and would not tolerate them within several feet of her. That was the day she started laying again. It was a real shock for the chicks and me too for that matter! Thankfully there were 13 of them for moral support and warmth. My broody had reared them within a large mixed flock so they were already integrated, so she just chased them off and headed into the nest box to lay an egg and thereby make a start on her next brood.

x2....   six weeks is normal range.  Chicks raised in the coop should be fine by that age to be on their own. 

She laid her egg and went back to chicks. But is moving further away as the day goes. What I didn't relize is my austrlorp is going broody. She has not left the box all day!! And seems to be a mean one at that. Pepper was very sweet ! I noticed Oreo my austrlorp has been acting funny the last two days. Who would have thought the day my first broody lays another hen starts the process again. I will feel her out for tge next two days.
I have already started to out eggs away today just in case she follows through. She scares me pepper didn't ! However she's 2x the size. Do austrlorps go broody often? This is another big suprise !!! I love this thread thank you! Last batch ended up with at least 5 cockerels maybe more I'm still waiting to see. I'll be taking better notes this time !

 

[Hayduke27]

Well, there's good news. I came home from fishing today, and I had 3 new fuzzy butts, with another egg pipped. It looks like I'll get at least 4 after all. Yay! They are so darn tiny and cute on day 1, it's crazy.