Old Fashioned Broody Hen Hatch A Long and Informational Thread

[Lady of McCamley]

Don't give up to quick on the BO's. I have had many and seem to have less problems out of them than alot of other breeds.

That is good to hear PD...I was not a fan of my BO's after 3 attempts with different batches (I think I've tried 8 in all)...big, lazy, snotty food guzzlers with few eggs.

I think it must be some hatchery lines are not good as I have heard many people sing their praises.

Where do you get your BO's?

LofMc

 

[PD-Riverman]

That is good to hear PD...I was not a fan of my BO's after 3 attempts with different batches (I think I've tried 8 in all)...big, lazy, snotty food guzzlers with few eggs.

I think it must be some hatchery lines are not good as I have heard many people sing their praises.

Where do you get your BO's?

LofMc

I got mine from a local feed store----they get their chicks from a local guy only. He hatches ALOT for several local places. I hatched many chicks from the eggs from these BO. I kept some of those chicks which are laying and doing good. No my BO's do not lay as good as my RIR but they do decent----the BO's like to go broody and they are good mothers. I think I had 5 go broody at one time in one pen of 7--LOL


Edited to add----My BO's might be crossed between a woodpecker and a Billy Goat-----who knows---LOL

 

[chickenmomma16]

Quote: Mine all came from Privett... I wanted a BO in my flock because I wanted a big reliable broody hen. If I ever get the itch to try again with BOs I will probably look for a private breeder. I don't mind hatcheries for layers only. If I wan to USE my chickens I think I will stick with private breeders from now on.

 

[Lady of McCamley]

Mine all came from Privett... I wanted a BO in my flock because I wanted a big reliable broody hen. If I ever get the itch to try again with BOs I will probably look for a private breeder. I don't mind hatcheries for layers only. If I wan to USE my chickens I think I will stick with private breeders from now on.

I've had the better luck with private stock. I agree, hatcheries are great for egg laying machines...not so much so for temperament or SOP and definitely not for broodiness...that is selected out of them as that is not a productive layer. Of my 8 BO's, I kept 5, none of which were particularly broody...one went broody but did not stay the course...and all, as said, were snotty and poor layers but good feed guzzlers. I happily sold them off and waved as their tails left.

If I try BO's again, I will go private breeder as well.

LofMc

 

[nchls school]

Good afternoon! Day 25 and our first light Sussex hatched under mama hen early this morning in her nesting box and another is starting to pip. The nesting box is 12x12 how long can I leave mama and chick out there before bringing them into the chick brooder? Somewhere I think I read 24 or 48 hrs..

I usually wait until all viable eggs have hatched and the chicks are completely dried off. If there's late eggs hatching I pull the chicks until everything has hatched. By pulling the chicks the hen continues to brood the eggs. I do not go by time but, rather, when I see that the chicks are active.

 

[Alex1010]

It's below freezing every night and we should be expecting a lot of snow this week, will my broody hen still be able to keep them warm? She hast got up yet we're on day 2 today

 

[fisherlady]

It's below freezing every night and we should be expecting a lot of snow this week, will my broody hen still be able to keep them warm? She hast got up yet we're on day 2 today

As long as she is in a draft free area with adequate bedding under her and the eggs she will be fine, our hens hatch year round in Pennsylvania (high on a ridge) weather!

 

[Alex1010]

As long as she is in a draft free area with adequate bedding under her and the eggs she will be fine, our hens hatch year round in Pennsylvania (high on a ridge) weather!

Okay that means she's going to do great! And she's my first broody in the winter. But I have 4 Silkie hens I'm hoping will do the deed for me this year

 

[ChickenLady2014]

As long as she is in a draft free area with adequate bedding under her and the eggs she will be fine, our hens hatch year round in Pennsylvania (high on a ridge) weather!

Okay that means she's going to do great! And she's my first broody in the winter. But I have 4 Silkie hens I'm hoping will do the deed for me this year

HaHa, if they are anything like mine you could be in trouble. I have 4 Silkie hen & 1 went broody the first part of Dec. A few days later a second went broody. First hens chicks hatched & a 3rd hen went broody. Luckily #4 hasn't joined the band wagon

 

[Alex1010]

HaHa, if they are anything like mine you could be in trouble. I have 4 Silkie hen & 1 went broody the first part of Dec. A few days later a second went broody. First hens chicks hatched & a 3rd hen went broody. Luckily #4 hasn't joined the band wagon

I really want them to go broody so I can sell and raise chicks