Old Fashioned Broody Hen Hatch A Long and Informational Thread

[Mrs. Fluffy Puffy]

I have 2 broodies, the other 3 were fakes!!

I have no clue what is under them...?? And I don't know if I'll even keep the chicks or not??

 

[Suechick]

Broodies rock!

 

[OrpingtonManor]

I only gave my broody girl 4 eggs because it was her first time (and mine.) She has been setting for 4 days. I was worried about leaving her with the other birds, but now I'm not. They have all banded together to help her. When she takes a break, they sit on the eggs for her. Then she goes back, and they go about their business. No one seems to mind. I didn't know they would do this.

 

[buckaroo's wife]

Well, Hello!

Honestly, I never thought I'd get to join a broody hen thread! Found my missing welsummerX sitting on a nest of 24 eggs today!!!!!

I moved her into our barn, since she'd picked her nest spot under our horse trailer, which is vulnerable to preadators. She's now ticked off, but safe and back on her eggs

What else do I do for her, besides leave her alone for 21 days? (Or rather 18-19 days I think....she's probably been sitting on them 3 days)

Also, I know she won't hatch all of those. How do I know when to remove the duds? or do i just wait?

 

[Pharm Girl]

My broody has 4 more days to go!! Can't wait!!

 

[Fuffy]

Well I guess it wasn't meant to be...AGAIN

I had one chick born dead yesterday (Day 23)

Today, as there was nothing happening, I candled the last 3 eggs:

One had obviously quit sometime after I last candled (at 2 weeks)

The other two were full with good air sacks. I could even make out a little toe. But here was absolutely NO movement!

So in the past year I have tried with 15 eggs to get a Buff Sussex hen. The result: One Light Sussex cockerel!!!

I can't begin to tell you all how disapointed I am!!!! And poor Hermione is bereft!

Best of luck to all you broody mommas out there

 

[NotAFarm]

Quote:
I'm sorry to hear Hermione is not going to be able to be a mom. Any chance of getting a newborn chick some where close?

 

[Mrs. Mucket]

I'm sorry Fuffy. It must be heartbreaking. I have lost chicks and chickens and I know it's hard. Warm thoughts going your way.

 

[Fuffy]

Awww! Thanks, guys

The plan for this year was buffies for her first brood and then possibly some blue laying silver grey dorkings for the second litter (er brood).

So I think I'll let her go back with the flock tonight and come out of her broodiness in her own good time. Then do the dorkings if she goes broody again. I feel she should have time to build herself up before we start again.

The thing about living on a flyspeck in the middle of the Channel is that there aren't very many people who do the breeds here. There is only one guy who has buff sussex, and he's not breeding this year at all.

He was also singularly unhelpful when I spoke to him last year!

So I am really stuck with shipping eggs. But next time I'll get them sent special delivery! ! !

Well I guess I'll just have to put this one down to experience...Am just really diapointed

 

[willkatdawson]

So sorry Fuffy.