Old Fashioned Broody Hen Hatch A Long and Informational Thread

[PD-Riverman]

Yes, I do know. And I have explained this and much more on incubation to my wife. But...kind of hard to be credible when she does everything wrong and the eggs hatch anyway. Oh well... As long as she's happy and the chicks are healthy!

Gotta keep the Wife happy!!! But if she has real good luck with a staggered hatch---- hatching a chick or few every day in the same incubator----we sure would like to hear about it!!!

 

[tinakevin]

I've got 8 eggs under 3 broodies. 2 silkies they each have 2 eggs and 1 standard Cochin with 4 eggs. I started with 12 eggs but after candeling I'm down to the 8. They should be interesting looking because they are all fertilizes by my partridge silky rooster and the hens r rir. Barredrock. barnvelder and glw

 

[Violetsfeathers]

I put two eggs on lock-down tonight, due to hatch Saturday!
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[nchls school]

Quote:

Quote: Yes, I do know. And I have explained this and much more on incubation to my wife. But...kind of hard to be credible when she does everything wrong and the eggs hatch anyway. Oh well... As long as she's happy and the chicks are healthy!

That's incredible! Also makes me wonder if my eggs will hatch now. I was doubtful, even though they seem to be developing well. My temps have fluctuated occasionally from 100-104 in my still air incubator. I thought for sure I had screwed things up. But I guess we'll have to wait and see... 6 days or so to go...
Her incubators are also still air-temps have gone as high as 109 for brief periods; of course, who knows if the thermometer reading is right! Wait and see. Good luck! I candled a few eggs this morning-definitely alive.

 

[AnneInTheBurbs]

I think my humidity may have been too high, the air cells don't seem as big as they should be. We shall see.

But in other news, I think I may have another broody! Looks like she pulled out some chest feathers and last night I found her in the nest. As of this morning, she was still planted and floofing her tail feathers at me. She is a CCL/Marans mix. Olive eggs.

 

[fisherlady]

I think my humidity may have been too high, the air cells don't seem as big as they should be. We shall see. But in other news, I think I may have another broody! Looks like she pulled out some chest feathers and last night I found her in the nest. As of this morning, she was still planted and floofing her tail feathers at me. She is a CCL/Marans mix. Olive eggs.

She's got the look!

 

[Shilo7]

I started not collect eggs to see if any of my hens would go broody. A splash Wyandotte went broody on 3/01/17. I want to move her to a small coop by herself. My question is will she return to the eggs if I move her to a new area? will she be excepted back in the flock when she is done sitting?

 

[Violetsfeathers]

I started not collect eggs to see if any of my hens would go broody. A splash Wyandotte went broody on 3/01/17. I want to move her to a small coop by herself. My question is will she return to the eggs if I move her to a new area? will she be excepted back in the flock when she is done sitting?

I think you should let her keep sitting in that place for a while longer to make sure she doesn't quit when you move her. and then try to move her to a new coop (or a pen in the main coop) and see how she does. One of my broodies I moved her and her eggs to a pen And she settled down on the eggs. But when I tried to move the other broody she would not have it and flipped out. So it depends on the broody

 

[PD-Riverman]

I started not collect eggs to see if any of my hens would go broody. A splash Wyandotte went broody on 3/01/17. I want to move her to a small coop by herself. My question is will she return to the eggs if I move her to a new area? will she be excepted back in the flock when she is done sitting?

I move all my broody hens---usually before I set them or soon after. I have moved over 150+ in a 3 year period, 72 in 2015 alone. Never had one that did not accept the move, But there is some things and ways that has to be done to make sure the move is a success. No need for me to go into that unless you want to move and need details.

Game hens were a little aggravating to re-introduce back into the flock but I never had any problems with other hens. I usually leave mom with the chicks for a couple months if I am keeping them.

 

[Shilo7]

I move all my broody hens---usually before I set them or soon after. I have moved over 150+ in a 3 year period, 72 in 2015 alone. Never had one that did not accept the move, But there is some things and ways that has to be done to make sure the move is a success. No need for me to go into that unless you want to move and need details.

Game hens were a little aggravating to re-introduce back into the flock but I never had any problems with other hens. I usually leave mom with the chicks for a couple months if I am keeping them.

How do I make the move successful? I was going to let her keep the chicks for 3 days and then sale them.