Old Fashioned Broody Hen Hatch A Long and Informational Thread

[BullChick]

As the time is drawing near, I’m hating my broodies. The cobra and the hippie have been back in the box. Fine, I moved their eggs back. The hippie is less likely to pop out for scratch now. Today, the hippie came when I filled the feeder, and when I went to collect eggs, the cobra was in the wrong box. No idea what that was about, but the eggs were still warm, so one of the broodies was sitting on them. I moved the cobra back, and assume it was a fluke since she’s been good at picking the right nest.
Anyway, a week to go.

 

[fisherlady]

They just like to keep you on your toes, that's all, lol

 

[BullChick]

I’m up on my toes again!
I see no evidence that the second broody has moved in about a week, and number three hasn’t budged in two days. I had two moms in a box several years ago, and I know how that went (it wasn’t pretty). I definitely couldn’t risk three!
Hatch day is tomorrow or Wednesday, so I moved (and locked) the trio back in the cage (xl kennel). All three pancaked immediately. I will have to keep an eye on the third, but I doubt the others will allow her to cause a problem.

... and I just realized that I didn’t do what I went out there to do. The run isn’t chick proofed yet with no deep water bowls.

 

[electrycmonk]

So in hopes to gain enough wisdom to get thru the next week of pre-hatching I have done the following:

1) posted a new thread late night yesterday asking for advice, then realized in the morning I should of tagged a few ID's I thought could help or knew who to get advice from.... Added the tags.....

2) after dinner this evening I then asked a few folks in another thread asking for anyone with advice in a chat thread. They pointed me to this and one other thread.

3) so in an effort to cross post for advice without doing the bad x-postings I have seen in other threads in other forums over the years.......this post will be showing the link to my OP:
https://www.backyardchickens.com/th...-the-2-batches-of-eggs.1379282/#post-22668173

And the page #1504 & my post #15,037 in this thread:
https://www.backyardchickens.com/threads/broody-hen-thread.496101/page-1504

There. (Deep sigh) that should be cohierant and I hope appropriately edited down for consistency.

 

[Ke11yMack]

So why don't any of you break the cycle with some cool water? Does it not work or have you not tried it? Nice container of cold water...gently dip to the depth of a duck, angry hen in water (hold for as long as you can) and bring reproductive system down in temp. Gently dry hen off and release Works like a charm for me. Anyone else?

 

[rlhagan56]

I've done that and put them in a wire cage on crates to cool the bottom end of things. Never has worked for me.

 

[AllenK RGV]

So why don't any of you break the cycle with some cool water? Does it not work or have you not tried it? Nice container of cold water...gently dip to the depth of a duck, angry hen in water (hold for as long as you can) and bring reproductive system down in temp. Gently dry hen off and release Works like a charm for me. Anyone else?

I didn't realize this topic had turned into broody breaking tips. I'm sure there are articles on the matter in our learning center. I have an innate ability to only be attracted to broody breeds without intent. I was even considering building out a dedicated jail space as my two wire transport cages were running 2-3 hens at a time if no violence occurred this spring. I do support the merits of the cool water bath in my broody breaking routine but they still go to jail as that alone does not fix mine.

 

[Molpet]

So why don't any of you break the cycle with some cool water? Does it not work or have you not tried it? Nice container of cold water...gently dip to the depth of a duck, angry hen in water (hold for as long as you can) and bring reproductive system down in temp. Gently dry hen off and release Works like a charm for me. Anyone else?

I tried cold bath, even with an ice pack under her she refused to break
Others I moved to a better spot and she broke ... Go figure

 

[Gringa]

Just stopping by to share my latest hatch. My first Naked Neck chick! I have three more broody hens, so more chicks on the way.

 

[BullChick]

I have a hen that is broody again.