Old Fashioned Broody Hen Hatch A Long and Informational Thread

[sjturner79]

A surprise for me today. My best broody KC who is 2 years old and on her forth hatch, actually left the nest to go for a dust bath with 1 chick hatched and 3 more pipped.
The only time she has previously lost any chicks was her first hatch where she had 24 hatch over 8 days, and 13 of those died.

 

[h2oratt]

I set my broody Welsummer two nights ago with 10 shipped eggs. I've never attempted to hatch eggs before so we will see how it goes. I have her separated in a pen by herself (an old rabbit hutch).

5 of the 10 eggs were light enough to see through them and 4 of those had attached air sacs so that seems promising.

2 of the 10 had tiny hairline cracks. I put candle wax on them for support.

We will see how this goes, but I'm certainly not counting before they hatch!

Beautiful eggs! Good luck

 

[vpatt]

Today is hatch day.......i opened the coop to find a dead mouse on the floor. As i went to pick it up i saw it had little chicken feet. i was shocked at a dead chick and that it was not in the nest. It was close to the nest and i guess it wiggled out. I picked it up and it moved! I wrapped it in my shirt and it peeped! I have never seen a chick before it was dried and peeking thru mommys feathers. I laid it near her and she didnt hurt it...so i scooted it closer to her and got it halfway under her. I didnt want to mess around too much so i left it like that. I have to go out for a while so i will check on them when i return. I hope it does ok and has siblings when i get back.

 

[Puddin Fluff]

Good luck! Let us know how it turns out!

 

[vpatt]

Good luck! Let us know how it turns out!

Thank you, i will. I want these chicks so badly! I did double check just now and Peep has snuggled under Mama much better and only his head is showing and she is still just sitting patiently. It is still peeping!

 

[sjturner79]

Today is hatch day.......i opened the coop to find a dead mouse on the floor. As i went to pick it up i saw it had little chicken feet. i was shocked at a dead chick and that it was not in the nest. It was close to the nest and i guess it wiggled out. I picked it up and it moved! I wrapped it in my shirt and it peeped! I have never seen a chick before it was dried and peeking thru mommys feathers. I laid it near her and she didnt hurt it...so i scooted it closer to her and got it halfway under her. I didnt want to mess around too much so i left it like that. I have to go out for a while so i will check on them when i return. I hope it does ok and has siblings when i get back.

I have had a few like that, and some I thought were dead, but have learned that if you get them back up to temp sometimes they revive and even thrive.

 

[sjturner79]

A surprise for me today. My best broody KC who is 2 years old and on her forth hatch, actually left the nest to go for a dust bath with 1 chick hatched and 3 more pipped.
The only time she has previously lost any chicks was her first hatch where she had 24 hatch over 8 days, and 13 of those died.

All 5 of her chicks are now hatched and back in the nest with mum. Hopefully she remembers that it's hatch day tomorrow and stays with her bubbies, rather than trying to stay in incubator mode.

 

[vpatt]

My last nest check shows one little peeper still peeping loudly (to me) and i think it is the same one. But of course he is dry and looking so cute....it could be a different one, I'm not certain. There could be more hatched under there, but i can't tell, yet.

I could see such a change in the hen, she is out of her trance and has a very expectant look about her. And i was amazed she didnt try to kill me when i put her chick back with her.

I am trying not to mess with them and to only check every couple of hours...well, maybe every hour, lol.

 

[vpatt]

All 5 of her chicks are now hatched and back in the nest with mum. Hopefully she remembers that it's hatch day tomorrow and stays with her bubbies, rather than trying to stay in incubator mode.

Yay, for you!!

 

[abartz14]

Question, I have a hen I believe had gone broody but am unsure which eggs are hers and if they are even fertile. How long can eggs stay under her before they are no longer good for consumption and how soon can you tell if they are fertile?