Old Fashioned Broody Hen Hatch A Long and Informational Thread

[AnneInTheBurbs]

@fisherlady

I have eggs in the bator, should hatch in a few days. My one girl has been broody now for only 2 days. When they chicks hatch, would it be silly to try to out them under her? I think it may be too soon.

It is rare for a hen to adopt that early in their setting cycle, but anything is possible. If you are going to try I would plan on spending multiple hours babysitting her to aid in any problems. Slide them under her once they are dry and fluffy. Be prepared for her to be confused and kind of 'run interference' for the chicks as they try to figure things out also. She will likely peck at them as they pop out at first. You can shield them with your hand and make sure they get tucked back under her. After she gets used to their noise and movements she may begin to relax.
I was able to give day old chicks to a hen we took off of the shelf in the coop one night out of the blue and got her to adopt them, but she is a special girl with chicks...and she became their foster mom because the broody hen they were meant for absolutely refused them after being broody for 3 weeks, go figure. So there is the perfect example of how unpredictable hens can be.

Okay, if they are hatched and fluffy on a day where I can spend time, I will try it. If not, we'll have little peeps in the house. It's a win-win! Thanks for the generous advice.

 

[NysiaAnera]

Well, I just placed some eggs under our first spring broody. She had five under her. I took one away and added 4, but will likely be adding 2-4 more later today.

 

[PouleNoire]

Sounds like fun!

 

[Violetsfeathers]

My eggs aren't even peeping. They were supposed to hatch today...

 

[karenerwin]

My eggs aren't even peeping. They were supposed to hatch today...

Try not to worry too much, they hatch when they are ready. Sometimes that's a few days after we think they are ready. However, if they go 4 or 5 days late or if they start to smell, well, then it might just have not been meant to be this time.

Anyway, I would give them a few days before calling it quits.

 

[Violetsfeathers]

Try not to worry too much, they hatch when they are ready.  Sometimes that's a few days after we think they are ready.  However, if they go 4 or 5 days late or if they start to smell, well, then it might just have not been meant to be this time.

Anyway, I would give them a few days before calling it quits.

Yah, if they aren't peeping by Tuesday morning I might try to help

 

[AnneInTheBurbs]

Try not to worry too much, they hatch when they are ready.  Sometimes that's a few days after we think they are ready.  However, if they go 4 or 5 days late or if they start to smell, well, then it might just have not been meant to be this time.

Anyway, I would give them a few days before calling it quits.

Yah, if they aren't peeping by Tuesday morning I might try to help

Did anything happen overnight?

 

[Violetsfeathers]

Did anything happen overnight?

No.
I candled them, they both have large air sacs, I'm not sure how big they're supposed to be.
One of them is only half black, like a decomposing chick.
The other one is all black, minus the big air sac, except for a small spot on the side it was laying on. Is it alive?

 

[AnneInTheBurbs]

Did anything happen overnight?

No.
I candled them, they both have large air sacs, I'm not sure how big they're supposed to be.
One of them is only half black, like a decomposing chick.
The other one is all black, minus the big air sac, except for a small spot on the side it was laying on. Is it alive?

I would give it another three days. My broody chicken hatched out her eggs three days later than I had expected. Fingers crossed!


Edited for spelling.

 

[karenerwin]

No.

I candled them, they both have large air sacs, I'm not sure how big they're supposed to be.
One of them is only half black, like a decomposing chick.

The other one is all black, minus the big air sac, except for a small spot on the side it was laying on. Is it alive?

In my experience, the black area is the chick, so, that's a good thing, not a bad thing. Hang in there.