Old Fashioned Broody Hen Hatch A Long and Informational Thread

[dgh]

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 FAQs below.

USE BANTAMS. Most large breeds have had motherhood bred out of them. centuries of egg collection.... but not bantams. Your large breed MAY raise a clutch, but more often, they will abandon or kill them

 

[NagemTX]

USE BANTAMS. Most large breeds have had motherhood bred out of them. centuries of egg collection.... but not bantams. Your large breed MAY raise a clutch, but more often, they will abandon or kill them

Large fowl Phoenix are great for broodies! I also have some Orpingtons that are great mothers. The Ameraucana not so much as she has killed 4 of her hatchlings .

 

[fluffycrow]

And most gamefowl as well

 

[Auntiejessi3]

I've got a question y'all, 1 of my orps has gone broody, I've got eggs in the incubator on day 4, I'd like to give her a few of these eggs and try and graft the rest of the chicks to her. Do y'all think the 4 day head start will mess her up?

 

[NagemTX]

I've got a question y'all, 1 of my orps has gone broody, I've got eggs in the incubator on day 4, I'd like to give her a few of these eggs and try and graft the rest of the chicks to her. Do y'all think the 4 day head start will mess her up?

I don't think so. How do I tag people? JacinLarkwell would be helpful on that front.

 

[Auntiejessi3]

I don't think so. How do I tag people? JacinLarkwell would be helpful on that front.

@JacinLarkwell

 

[fluffycrow]

The only problem I can really think of is if the chicks move a lot from under her to go exploring and she just doesn't get to bond with them? I can't think of another problem

 

[Auntiejessi3]

The only problem I can really think of is if the chicks move a lot from under her to go exploring and she just doesn't get to bond with them? I can't think of another problem

My only really concern is the 4 day head start the eggs have on her being broody.

 

[fluffycrow]

My only really concern is the 4 day head start the eggs have on her being broody.

Ohhhhh, sorry I misunderstood the question. I don't think they'll be a problem, people on here have done chick adoptions at two weeks of brooding, so I think she'll accept them no problem. It'll still be day 17 for her, so at that point I don't think she'll notice

 

[NagemTX]

@JacinLarkwell

JacinLarkwell has moved chicks around and eggs around between broodies many times. Check out her flock thread.