Old Fashioned Broody Hen Hatch A Long and Informational Thread

[PouleChick]

they just passed a law that dogs and cats can not be left outside when it is very hot or cold

That is crazy!!!!

 

[Zer0ClucksGiven]

In my research for incubators and broody hens I thought it might be nice to have a centralized thread for people who are interested in hatching eggs using the broody hen method. This thread is not meant to put down incubators, as they are a very useful tool, but to share knowledge and experience with each other on how to hatch eggs using a broody hen.

I will attempt to edit this post to include tips and FAQs on some of the best methods and tips to use when hatching eggs using a broody hen. If you have any knowledge please share it. If you know of anything that would be useful to add to the FAQs or tips please PM me.

We can also use this thread to share pics and hatching details with each other.

I am not sure how many people are interested in doing this but I thought it would be neat to see how many people use this method.
It would seem a lot of people are interested in using this method. It allows for a more natural hatching and raising experience and helps provide a more sustainable flock.

Thanks to everyone for making this thread a success. Sharing of knowledge is what we humans do best and the vast information in this thread is helping improve a lot of peoples flocks.

Please take a moment to review the

I put 10 eggs under my broody silkie cross last year. That was my first time hatching anything.

It was such fun that I have just ordered 10 Buff Sussex eggs for her. They should be here by Wednesday. Can't WAIT!!!!

Has anyone tried leaving their broody hen with the flock? I would be worried that the other birds might kill the little chicks. I'd love to hear!

I have hatched eggs in an incubator but after seeing my silkie hen and rooster mate I did not collect the eggs and to my surprise my silkie hen was laying on 9 eggs! (Not all of them hers) I was so excited!! I am new to this but here are a few things I noticed, the other silkie hen is not laying, nor is my polish, Americana or speckled Sussex. I didn’t write the date down but the eggs should be hatching around now I think? This morning I went to check and there were only 2 eggs sadly. What am I doing wrong? I saw some other cracked eggs in the coop, but they were dried. Should I have/be separating her? Any advice?

 

[fisherlady]

@Zer0ClucksGiven
When new hens attempt to brood in an inexperienced coop it can often result in poor hatches. Inexperienced hens may not return to the correct box each time after their daily outing and sometimes squabbles with other nosey hens and hens wanting to borrow the box for their daily egg results in broken eggs, the birds will eat any broken eggs. Given room a hen will often try to choose an out of the way place but in our small modern set ups they cant find those secluded corners.
Best option if no eggs hatch would be to either find her 3 newly hatched chicks from a hatchery or feed store to graft to her or get 6 eggs and set them in an incubator, allow the hen to continue to sit but figure out a way to create a wire barrier in front of her for the expected hatch day. The day before the eggs are due to hatch place them under her and put the barrier in place to prevent other nosey hens and roosters from bothering her and let them hatch under her. Keep a close eye on her behavior when they hatch in case she is one of the minority who react poorly to chicks....

 

[L1sa]

I don't know if any of my broodies eggs will hatch this time round, she is broody and spends most of her time on the nest, but she's also been off them so many times. There are times all the eggs have felt cool, she sometimes kicks a single egg out and then it feels cool only to scoop it back under her again and re warm. If any do hatch i will be amazed how robust and resilient chicks are!!

 

[Curnow]

I have had numerous broody hens this year. Cuckoo Marans, English Orpingtons, and a Brahma cross hen. But the one I am SO proud of is one of my little Sultan hen. I only set two of my experienced Cuckoo Marans hens. It was a disaster for the first time ever. Broken eggs, rotten eggs exploding...Ugh! Ended up with only one chick.

Then, I decided to give the little Sultan a chance. SHE DID IT! As of yesterday, two out of 5 large brown eggs have hatched!! I can't wait to check on her this morning to see if any others came into the world. It's funny, she is a small sweet hen. My 3 sultans are loving and cuddly...but she has been the nastiest attack broody I've ever had!

Hope to get pictures soon!

 

[L1sa]

Yay, congrats. Look forward to seeing the little fuzzballs!

 

[Faraday40]

Here's "Trouble"..........AGAIN!

All 6 orp eggs hatched, but one chick has the yolk sac hanging out. I wrapped it in a moist paper towel and put it into a cup inside the incubator. (my ICU) My hope is to prevent it from running around & rupturing the herniated naval. I may have to cull it, but we'll see what the next 24 hrs brings. Has anyone had a successful end to this type of story?


Other than that, I have 5 healthy chicks & one happy mama hen.

 

[fisherlady]

We had a Turkey poult who was basically eviscerated in a 'stepped on' accident at 1 day old. His egg sac and intestines were herniated through the umbilical opening which was torn open in the accident. I wrapped him in a wet paper towel and kept him warm and dark until hubby was able to assist. I flushed the eviscerated organs with sterile saline water, used dental floss to tie off the remain of the egg yolks sac and I cut it off and smeared the open end with triple antibiotic along with the other internal organs and I tucked them all back into the abdominal cavity through the herniated umbilical opening and used super glue to hold the wound edges back together. The little guy was put under the brinsea with a stuffed animal to keep him quiet and dark. I dropper fed him with brown sugar water and baby vitamins every 2 hours until he perked enough to show interest in food. I gave him finely chopped scrambled eggs with finch seed and chick starter mixed in once he would eat. Also gave him another chick from his clutch (hen had a mix of Turkey and chicks) to keep him company.
Long story but end result was a very spoiled gobbler who ended up being named Lucky....

 

[Zer0ClucksGiven]

@Zer0ClucksGiven
When new hens attempt to brood in an inexperienced coop it can often result in poor hatches. Inexperienced hens may not return to the correct box each time after their daily outing and sometimes squabbles with other nosey hens and hens wanting to borrow the box for their daily egg results in broken eggs, the birds will eat any broken eggs. Given room a hen will often try to choose an out of the way place but in our small modern set ups they cant find those secluded corners.
Best option if no eggs hatch would be to either find her 3 newly hatched chicks from a hatchery or feed store to graft to her or get 6 eggs and set them in an incubator, allow the hen to continue to sit but figure out a way to create a wire barrier in front of her for the expected hatch day. The day before the eggs are due to hatch place them under her and put the barrier in place to prevent other nosey hens and roosters from bothering her and let them hatch under her. Keep a close eye on her behavior when they hatch in case she is one of the minority who react poorly to chicks....

Thanks for the advice! all of the eggs were gone and my silkie is back out with the rest of the flock She hasn't laid any eggs and neither have the other hens in a few days which also has me questioning some other variables. Anyway I will try again; I feel really bad for her.

 

[Faraday40]

Trouble now has 7 happy, healthy orpington chicks. I had two eggs that she started sitting on but did not know the hatch date. They hatched & were added to her little family.

Sadly, I had to cull the herniated chick. After 24 hrs, it looked a little worse. It was very active and tried climbing out of the wrappings & cup. It looked like some intestines as well as the yolk sac were hanging out, so I decided to stop any further suffering.