Old Fashioned Broody Hen Hatch A Long and Informational Thread

[Miss Lydia]

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Have you looked on Craigs list for chicks, might be worth a try, sorry none hatched, it's sad for mama.

 

[Fuffy]

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[BarnGoddess01]

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Bummer!!

 

[Endur50]

I've been searching a trying to find an answer before I posted, but still can't so thought I'd post. I have a broody hen (my first time hatching). She's an araucana that's on the small/medium side. I gave her 12 eggs and I'm not sure if that's too many. Since she's rumpless, she doesn't have that tail to cover up in the back. I can see part of several eggs sticking out in the back (about 1/2 the egg). Do they need to be covered completely to incubate properly? Should I take a few back? Our daytime highs are in the low 90s, night time lows in the high 60s, low 70s.

 

[BarnGoddess01]

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I am only on my second broody but my advice is 12 eggs is too many especially for a first timer. I gave my first time BR broody 10 eggs last year - only 2 made it to hatch (after 24 days) and only one of those survived. Eggs got broken and I think my broody got frustrated. It was too many eggs for her to cover comfortably and properly. This year I put 5 eggs under another first time broody. So far, nothing broken, she seems like a very happy hen and candling suggests that at least 3 of the eggs are good to go. Hatch should be Saturday.

I would cut your number in half. Start there and see how that goes.

 

[Miss Lydia]

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I am only on my second broody but my advice is 12 eggs is too many especially for a first timer. I gave my first time BR broody 10 eggs last year - only 2 made it to hatch (after 24 days) and only one of those survived. Eggs got broken and I think my broody got frustrated. It was too many eggs for her to cover comfortably and properly. This year I put 5 eggs under another first time broody. So far, nothing broken, she seems like a very happy hen and candling suggests that at least 3 of the eggs are good to go. Hatch should be Saturday.

I would cut your number in half. Start there and see how that goes.

I agree, that is too many for a first time broody. you want it to be a good experience for her and for you.

 

[slurrywidow]

Hi all, I'm keeping my fingers crossed that I get to join this thread for awhile!

I think I have my first broody! Today when my DD (she's 9) went out to gather eggs she came running in upset because something was wrong with "Ramona". (DD likes to reach under the hens to get the warm eggs while they are nesting) I checked, saw that all the feathers on her belly had been picked clean, ran inside to check BYC on the cause....possible broody. We've left her alone to see what happens and other than one short jaunt to stretch and get some food, she's glued to that nest. YAY!

So now, I've read 38 pages of this thread but couldn't wait any longer to post and ask some questions. (I'll still keep reading but I'm too excited to wait.) Questions:

1. I'm going to have to order some hatching eggs, have no roo, and I want Silkies to put under her. The ones I want to order are for 18 eggs. That's waaaay too many to put under her, correct? She's a cuckoo marans and still young, about 7 months. How many should she have?
2. I want to leave her in the coop all the way through so that I don't have to try to integrate later. I went through that this spring with started chicks/pullets and it was awful. Does this work out? Momma will protect them?
3. The nest box is about 20 inches off the ground. What happens when the chicks hatch? Too high up?
4. I've read that some people encourage the hen to leave the nest to eat about 10 mins x2 a day. Is this a good thing even with other hens in the coop?
5. On ordering eggs, I need to wait a day or two to make sure she is truly broody, correct? Then what when I get the eggs? Warm them? Give them to her one by one, but on the same day? All at once?

Thanks for starting this thread and being patient with us that are still learning but ABSOLUTELY enjoying every minute.

 

[Miss Lydia]

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well congrats on your first broody, you'll enjoy this ride and having a daughter to go along will be a blast. 7 months is very young to go broody, but she has it ingrained in her dna to know what to do. so the least amt of interference is best. 18 eggs is way too many, half of that would be alot but she being a maran should be able to cover them all. yes let her stay in the coop but when the eggs come before you put them under her mark them so you can get the ones out that the other hens will lay in the nest when she goes out to eat and drink. after the chicks hatch then you'll need to move her to ground level. you'll have plenty of time to get a nest ready, then just go in and lift her and chicks out of nest they are in and put them into new nest, this can be done after everyone has gone to roost in the evening, that way everyone is sleepy, just before dark is a good time. I've never set eggs from another sourse under any of my broodys but have read alot about it and I think it's a good idea to let them sit for 24 hrs before putting them under her. that gets them settled and they will be room temp. again when everyone has gone to roost close to dark go in and take the eggs she is sitting on out and put the new eggs under her. she most likely will just settle right down on them and coo. if you are seeing this broody not get up except to eat and poop I'd say go ahead and order your eggs. especially if this is day 2 or 3 already. and most chickens respect mama hen and chicks and she should be fine being in the coop. I've always left mine in and only problems I had was when I had 3 hatch at the same time, it got a bit caotic in the mornings when chicks got confused on who mama was when leaving coop. but they worked it out. Please let us know how it goes and we'll be waiting to see pics of the new family. all the best, Trish any more questions just come on back someone will be here to help.

 

[Fuffy]

Yup...I'm with Miss L (again!)

 

[Miss Lydia]

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Thanks Fuffy your the greatest!!!