Old Fashioned Broody Hen Hatch A Long and Informational Thread

[CluckNDoodle]

I grabbed a few videos of the broodies while cleaning the coop today, they are all pretty similar. Chicks and hens both seem quite content with the set up so far. Chicks pop out from under one hen but usually go back to another, guess they like visiting the neighbors. LOL

WOW!!! This is incredible! So let me get this straight, you have SIX broody hens that are raising chicks together? I thought I had a lot when 3 went broody together!

 

[fisherlady]

WOW!!! This is incredible! So let me get this straight, you have SIX broody hens that are raising chicks together? I thought I had a lot when 3 went broody together!

Yep, all 6 from the same pen, they all sat in pairs for the past 2.5 to 3.5 weeks. It all started when we had another pair of broodies in the pen beside the SPRs... within a couple of days of the chicks moving in next door the first SPR parked, followed by the next five within the week. Now, historically, my SPRs have always been a very broody bunch, usually going broody in pairs or trios, but this is the first time we have had 6 co-brooding.
The good thing is that these hens were all raised in a co-brooding enviroment, having been chicks raised by co-brooding hens and in coops where the flock is fully integrated with ages from 1 wk to 6+yrs all sharing the same spaces. Out of any of the hens I have had my SPRs are the most laid back and cooperative broodies by far. They just don't seem phased by odd circumstances, they just calmly continue going about their mommy duties and avoid the drama.
We actually have a 7th broody (another SPR) in another coop... She is only about 7 months old but she heard chicks last month (from another broody pair) and was parked within a few days. She is by herself and doing fine with her 4 chicks.
I do wish these girls would wait till better weather though! LOL

 

[CluckNDoodle]

Yep, all 6 from the same pen, they all sat in pairs for the past 2.5 to 3.5 weeks. It all started when we had another pair of broodies in the pen beside the SPRs... within a couple of days of the chicks moving in next door the first SPR parked, followed by the next five within the week. Now, historically, my SPRs have always been a very broody bunch, usually going broody in pairs or trios, but this is the first time we have had 6 co-brooding.
The good thing is that these hens were all raised in a co-brooding enviroment, having been chicks raised by co-brooding hens and in coops where the flock is fully integrated with ages from 1 wk to 6+yrs all sharing the same spaces. Out of any of the hens I have had my SPRs are the most laid back and cooperative broodies by far. They just don't seem phased by odd circumstances, they just calmly continue going about their mommy duties and avoid the drama.
We actually have a 7th broody (another SPR) in another coop... She is only about 7 months old but she heard chicks last month (from another broody pair) and was parked within a few days. She is by herself and doing fine with her 4 chicks.
I do wish these girls would wait till better weather though! LOL

Thank you for sharing! I'm completely enamored with this whole scenario! I think I need an SPR, SPR being, Silver Pencil R?

 

[fisherlady]

Yes, they are Silver Pencil Plymouth Rocks... I can't speak for the breed tendencies as a whole, my flock were originally sourced from a quality breeder and this line obviously hasn't had broodiness bred out of them, at least the trait has certainly flourished in our coop.
I can suggest if you do want this breed then you should contact some breeders of them and ask them specifically if their hens tend to be broody. To go a hatchery route would be hit or miss (depending on where they get their stock from), they will probably be the right markings and hopefully be broody for you, but odds would be better through a breeder you can ask.

 

[Lady of McCamley]

So to update the picture of broody moods from 2 weeks ago... it got worse... we are up to 7 pencils now parked... they are nuts! Hubby sent me this quick video this afternoon. 5 in 1 coop, the other two in other areas.

Good to see Mindy is still on the job <3
LofMc

 

[CluckNDoodle]

Yes, they are Silver Pencil Plymouth Rocks... I can't speak for the breed tendencies as a whole, my flock were originally sourced from a quality breeder and this line obviously hasn't had broodiness bred out of them, at least the trait has certainly flourished in our coop.
I can suggest if you do want this breed then you should contact some breeders of them and ask them specifically if their hens tend to be broody. To go a hatchery route would be hit or miss (depending on where they get their stock from), they will probably be the right markings and hopefully be broody for you, but odds would be better through a breeder you can ask.

Thanks! I'm fortunate to have a lot of local breeders and many focus on rare and heritage breeds so I bet I can find someone with a good line! I never really put two and two together as to why I end up with so many broody hens every year but that really makes sense if it's because I'm sourcing all of my eggs from those same breeders local to me!

 

[fisherlady]

Yes she is definitely still on the job and having a great time chick watching with this group!

 

[fisherlady]

So it looks like the unusual cooperation is continuing. We will be removing the three boxes and replacing with a super single one. There is no room for Mindy to chick watch!

 

[fisherlady]

I got a kick out of the little yellow one trying to hen surf and sinking in because they weren't quite close enough together to hold her up.

 

[Faraday40]

MaiMai (the silkie) hatched an orpington egg and adopted a lonely only serama pullet.

Full Story: The serama pullet was very afraid of all chickens after seeing her sister killed. She hatched in late October. Her broody mama decided to abandon them around 4 weeks old on the same day I reintroduced them into the bantam flock. After the tragedy, poor "Solo" lived by herself in a plastic tote. I decided since seramas are so small, I would try bonding her to my next broody- or a chick if that didn't work.

After about a day Solo stopped running away from mama and chick; they co-existed. Yes, Solo was afraid of a day-old chick! There's no pecking and I'm seeing some snuggling. The little chick just started riding on mom's back. It's so cute!!!

I can't wait until the black orp grows larger than her older sister serama and mother silkie. Solo will soon have her own bodyguard the next time I try integrating her into the bantam coop.

Today:

a few days ago