Old Fashioned Broody Hen Hatch A Long and Informational Thread

[Miss Lydia]

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I'd put some eggs under her till the others get there, or golf balls just to keep her going. And she'll continue to sit for as long as necessary, I had one sit 21 days on non fertile eggs and turn and sit another 21 days on some that were. They just love to be broody once they start. Let us know how it goes, and always pics.

 

[stonykill]

Miss Lydia, Opie is a handsome young man!

 

[Miss Lydia]

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Thanks stony, I think so too!" last time we talked about your Pekins you didn't know what you had as far as males and females [I think] do you know now?

 

[Faith Hope]

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Hi Faith Hope

Firstly...An extra special HI, coz I'm a Faith too...there are not many of us!

As to your question: I don't know about 'forever', but it seems to be the norm for my silkie cross.

She'll be broody, then come out of it with or without babies, lay about 9 eggs and go broody all over again. Although she does a wonderful job of laying over the winter, at the first whiff of

Spring, off she goes again! Bless her!

Thanks! Actually I am not a Faith, but my daughters' middle names are Faith and Hope!

I was just curious about the broodies. She seems as health as ever. Her first time was actually in January during one of the coldest spells we've had in a while! She hatched out when the temps were dipping below 0.

They are amazing to watch.

 

[Elphaba2140]

Thanks everyone. Never thought about a video, I was just being a worrying Gma and observer. I went out there about every half hour, you know to make sure all was well. She makes sure all keep a wide berth, even her sister with the other chicks, but she is a bit more tolerant of her (not her chicks). The only one who she has to back down from is my Alpha hen, a Cali White. I only saw this a couple of times. Kept everyone busy with treats today! Going to bed was almost as much fun. Up the ramp. Calls. They follow. Won't go in. They head back to their dog crate that I put in there for a get away zone. Mom comes back down. Chases all the pullets out of the way and tries again. Pullets step aside. Mom goes up the ramp. Babies go up won't go in. Run back down, mom follows. Finally they got the idea. Then you could hear her making a path in the coop. Squawks, cheap cheaps, thumps. Pullets outside looking in the door. "Is it safe yet?" Pile up on the ramp told me it wasn't. Healthy respect? I think everyone got the point. I am loving my mommy tonight even if she was a little harsh. I can rest much easier now.

 

[Jloeffler]

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I'd put some eggs under her till the others get there, or golf balls just to keep her going. And she'll continue to sit for as long as necessary, I had one sit 21 days on non fertile eggs and turn and sit another 21 days on some that were. They just love to be broody once they start. Let us know how it goes, and always pics.

Thanks, I think that is definitely what well do! She is so funny all cuddled down inmthe nesting box. She ignores everything and is just in a calm peaceful broody zone. I certainly don't remember being that way when I was pregnant! More like, am I done yet?!

 

[Mrs. Fluffy Puffy]

This is my Light Sussex hen that is setting on 1 Sussex egg and 4 Serama Eggs. They're due to hatch 8/17.

~ Aspen

 

[Jloeffler]

Mrs. Fluffy Puffy :

This is my Light Sussex hen that is setting on 1 Sussex egg and 4 Serama Eggs. They're due to hatch 8/17.
https://www.backyardchickens.com/forum/uploads/47807_broody_light_sussex_hen.jpg

~ Aspen

And here I just use those plastic stackables to hold workbooks and student work in my classroom! Boy, have I been undervaluing their potential!

Nice stink eye picture! At least she acknowledges your presence. Mine just ignores me.​

 

[Mrs. Fluffy Puffy]

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And here I just use those plastic stackables to hold workbooks and student work in my classroom! Boy, have I been undervaluing their potential!

Nice stink eye picture! At least she acknowledges your presence. Mine just ignores me.

When we cleaned out our playroom I came across those and thought "hey, those would work Great for nesting boxes!!"

I brought one up to the yard for the Sussex 'gals to use and they LOVED it. Come to think of it, that is probably why they stopped laying when Ms. Stink-eye went broody!

You can also turn them upside-down, it makes it a little bit more private.

~ Aspen

 

[Jloeffler]

Way cool reuse , mrs. Fluffy! Shedefinately looked as if she would refuse to move come fair or fowl! Wanna come look through my old stuff for repurposing ideas!