Old Fashioned Broody Hen Hatch A Long and Informational Thread

[tjo804]

Quote:
I made her move so I could clean the nest i took all the eggs in the house closed the bathroom door and candled 2 duds 3 I am not sure about 1 that was moving and 1 that was actively chirping Coolest thing I have seen since the ultra sounds of my human children. While I was gone she made herself comfy in a different corner I set the eggs in front of her (gone no longer than 10 minutes) She took them right under herself. after all the stinky egg shells and poo were gone I did not smell anything in the brooder anymore.
She is very annoyed with me. I will look in on her one more time tonight but then let her be until morning.


The problem is Life happened Granddaughter got sick and things got a bit hectic with Thanks giving and all the life stuff that interferes with simple joys. I fed everyone daily but didn't worry about eggs. When I finally went to collect them BabyBear was sitting. So I just let her have them I marked what was there since the Layers were molting the Banties were the only egg producers. I collected all new eggs BUT I have no Idea how far apart these eggs were. The Broodies I have had before either quit or killed the chicks some how So I figured I would clean her stinky mess and wouldn't have to break her broody cycle. (

)

Now I did the long explanation so others can learn. Collect the eggs Set all at the same time! I do know Poor BabyBear is paying for my behavior. I have a friend who free ranges and when a hen goes missing she is either sitting a clutch or wont be back the chicks eventually show up with mama all different sizes.

This has been a lesson in consequences and I have bothered so many people with my how to fix it questions because i wasn't even sure how to google the questions. BYC has been very kind to me in response.

I have learned A LOT! Including how to candle properly.
She has been eating scrambled eggs with water poured on them chick starter and I put electrolytes in the waterer.

I will probably give her 2 more days and candle again even though I now know it is dangerous to the chick to candle so late But it is dangerous to the whole Clutch and Mama not to.

There are 6 of the cutest Fuzzy butts in there with her now. But it is cold so she keeps them mostly tucked in.








The people here who have helped me have been a blesing to not only me but BabyBear and her clutch as well. It was very tempting to try to look under the hood but because of the advice here i was able to resist. and she will have at least 6 healthy Babies to teach.

Again from the bottom of my heart
THANK YOU

 

[feistychick]

I agree on early candling. I was just checking to see if the poster had done some home-work. I am getting so many eggs I can not sell them all---But I am doing NO Hatching right now---------can you believe that??

I did a lot of reading about broody hens - but still feel pretty ill-equipped when there's real chicks involved. This is my first broody, and I hope it gets easier with experience! I keep asking questions here because I'm sure that hands-on experience is more useful than all the reading I did I'm hoping that this thread will keep me from making any mistakes that will hurt the hatch - I really want my girl to get to raise a few chicks

 

[tjo804]

I had BabyBear in the coop with the rest of her flock and one of her eggs was stolen from her nest. I did not know until then that a hen can pick up an egg with her wing and take it. But they can and do.

 

[PD-Riverman]

I did a lot of reading about broody hens - but still feel pretty ill-equipped when there's real chicks involved. This is my first broody, and I hope it gets easier with experience! I keep asking questions here because I'm sure that hands-on experience is more useful than all the reading I did

I'm hoping that this thread will keep me from making any mistakes that will hurt the hatch - I really want my girl to get to raise a few chicks

She will or should, if you will follow a few basic things to insure it happens. I have had hundreds of broodies----rarely having a problem. I am just set-up for my area to make it work for my broodies. Good Luck!

 

[Beyond Yonder]

What is redneck wire? and good idea about the wire on the bottom. I will put it on the bottom and I guess on the top under the roof. There is quite a big crack around the door opening. I have never had an animal get in the covered run, but I'm sure as soon as I put babies out there, well, you know Murphy!

 

[howfunkyisurchicken]

Myrtle, my smooth Sizzle. She's sitting on 10 Silkie/Sizzle eggs

 

[nchls school]

Myrtle, my smooth Sizzle. She's sitting on 10 Silkie/Sizzle eggs

You have one unique chicken; at least to me she is. My frizzle serama is hatching today. I hope I luck out.

 

[tjo804]

Quote:
Good Luck with your hatch!
Healthy Chickies

cant wait to see pics

 

[kmollyhughes]

Myrtle, my smooth Sizzle. She's sitting on 10 Silkie/Sizzle eggs

My sizzles were great mothers. I even had a smooth rooster who would sleep with the babies and protect them along with the broody. I still have silkies and showgirls, but really miss smooth sizzles now!

 

[feistychick]

You have one unique chicken; at least to me she is. My frizzle serama is hatching today. I hope I luck out.

Looking forward to pictures of the them when they peek out from under mom