Old Fashioned Broody Hen Hatch A Long and Informational Thread

[farmerChef]

Came home to find 1 poult instead of 2.

I looked everywhere for it. I have had a like once a month problem with a snake, but I was hoping that with a good broody, that a snake wouldn't be a problem. I killed a 5 ft oak snake about 2 months ago, looked in the cage about a month later and saw a 2 ft one wrapped around a chick, it got away before I could kill it.

I try to snake proof the pens as good as I can, but I guess I haven't done it good enough yet.

 

[Gold Griffin Chicken Mom]

I mentioned this awhile back, but wanted to remind folks.

Get yourself a flashlight with a high LUM rating.

Most flashlights don't show a LUM rating. I picked up a Coleman flashlight with LEDs from Wal-mart. I think the LUM number was around 100. The other flashlights in the camping goods section rated in the low teens and twenties. I could see into the Maran eggs I bought from Amy Nadine. There is no problem viewing blue or green eggs. In daylight hours I step into our windowless half bath and shut the door. Blocking the light from the room is important. I just cup my left hand around the light and turn the egg with my right.

High LUM rated camping LED flashlight. Get one. You'll be glad you did!*

*Works well for viewing sick children's throats, too!

 

[mudchicken]

we are having bad luck over here. one hatched, then mama stepped and killed it. that was on tuesday mourning. as of wednesday night no more hatched, one exploded rotten egg all over. she is a nhr hen, and i also have an old english banty due next week. i hope all goes better

 

[Tiss]

Quote:
I have been using this tactical flashlight:
http://www.streamlight.com/product/product.aspx?pid=201

It says 120 lumens. I think the problem at this point may be that the veining is the same color as the shell. I will check them in another 5 days. Hopefully I'll be able to see the shadow of chicks then!

Quote:
I hope your banty's hatch goes better!

"farmerChef :

Came home to find 1 poult instead of 2. hit he barnie I looked everywhere for it. I have had a like once a month problem with a snake, but I was hoping that with a good broody, that a snake wouldn't be a problem. I killed a 5 ft oak snake about 2 months ago, looked in the cage about a month later and saw a 2 ft one wrapped around a chick, it got away before I could kill it. somad I try to snake proof the pens as good as I can, but I guess I haven't done it good enough yet. hmm

I hope you find the culprit. I've removed 3 huge rat snakes from my coop. One with an obvious egg in his belly.

 

[Firefly]

It's not a day for good news, I guess. I lost my first born chick in the night.

I moved Mama and babies after dark and it went well--everyone settled right down. But this morning the first chick was dead. It had yolk coming from it's mouth and eyes!! Has anyone seen this before? I'm wondering if maybe the Mama crushed it? It doesn't have any wounds on it. She also pecks a little at the other chick, who is very active and healthy. Not hard, not drawing blood, but enough to make it squeak. Is some pecking normal? She has one more egg under her, but I don't know if it's going to hatch... I don't hear anything.

 

[farmerChef]

Went out today to try and re-snake proof the brooder, and found a dead broody and no chick.

%$@#&*!#%^ snake!!! She was my best broody!

RIP MsFuzzy

 

[Tiss]

Quote:
Something killed your hen!?!?

 

[Zoomom]

that is so sad! Your broody was beautiful.

 

[Theeggboxtoo]

How often will a frizzle go broody in a year? After ours went broody the first time she layed 15 eggs and went broody again. the first time she hatched 7 LF eggs now she's sitting on 6 more that are due on Independence day.

 

[Firefly]

I'm sorry to hear about MsFuzzy!