Old Fashioned Broody Hen Hatch A Long and Informational Thread

[BarnGoddess01]

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[kgdubois]

back on after a crazy weekend

i just got caught up with this thread -- wow! so many things happening & such great pics posted

congrats to everyone with new chickies (i sure love seeing the photos)!

Miss Broody Pants is sitting tight -- I still haven't worked up the courage to get her off the nest. I can see evidence of her getting off on her own...food eaten, water drank and the MOST HORRIBLE POO EVER (!!!!!)

in the dog crate/broody hen palace. she seems to be doing just fine, so i'll see about maybe getting her off next weekend when I have time to spend around the coop.

The incubator seems to be working okay, I just check the temp/humidity and make sure it's okay. I am wondering if anything will hatch from there, because I haven't a clue what I'm doing

here's hoping!

Keep up the good work y'all!

 

[shepan2]

Tomorrow should be hatching day for my first chicks...mom has been sitting on 6 eggs, however, somehow a couple extra are under her now from a trespasser.

Since they have not been exposed to outside chickens, I'm planning to just have layer crumble available for the chicks...should I be supplementing their diet with extra protein etc?

 

[Miss Lydia]

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If it was me it would be condolences, stony wants to bring the Sumatra back from extiction [sp] all by his self. I have a broody hen just hatched the middle of march and a broody duck and another hen that is playing broody too, they have been playing musical eggs, until I go out remove them from the nest take the eggs and put them outside, [then they wait a while and go right back in] but at least I have the eggs.

 

[Miss Lydia]

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Hi and Congrats on hatch day tomorrow, we will look for pics. Layer isn't good for baby chicks can cause kidney damage from too much calcium. They need chick starter/grower. and all the chickens can eat it just put some oyster shell out for your layers till your chicks get old enough to eat layer. Let us know about the hatch...

 

[BarnGoddess01]

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Layer crumble has too much calcium for chicks and isn't advised.

 

[BarnGoddess01]

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Why would you feel the need to disturb her if she is getting off on her own? I think it is best to disturb them as little as possible and let them do what their hormones and instincts tell them to do. When are you due to hatch?

 

[BarnGoddess01]

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If it was me it would be condolences, stony wants to bring the Sumatra back from extiction [sp] all by his self. I have a broody hen just hatched the middle of march and a broody duck and another hen that is playing broody too, they have been playing musical eggs, until I go out remove them from the nest take the eggs and put them outside, [then they wait a while and go right back in] but at least I have the eggs.

I admire your strength!!! I'm not sure I'll ever have the heart to break up a broody. Even if I get up to 14 like poor old stonykill - although I'll run out of space eventually because I only have 8 nest boxes and 8 cages!!!!

 

[Miss Lydia]

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If it was me it would be condolences, stony wants to bring the Sumatra back from extiction [sp] all by his self. I have a broody hen just hatched the middle of march and a broody duck and another hen that is playing broody too, they have been playing musical eggs, until I go out remove them from the nest take the eggs and put them outside, [then they wait a while and go right back in] but at least I have the eggs.

I admire your strength!!! I'm not sure I'll ever have the heart to break up a broody. Even if I get up to 14 like poor old stonykill - although I'll run out of space eventually because I only have 8 nest boxes and 8 cages!!!!

well one reason I have the strength to do this is because 2 of these girls have already been mamas this year and Including them I had 9 broodys to hatch chicks, so I am way done for this year.

 

[shepan2]

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Hi and Congrats on hatch day tomorrow, we will look for pics. Layer isn't good for baby chicks can cause kidney damage from too much calcium. They need chick starter/grower. and all the chickens can eat it just put some oyster shell out for your layers till your chicks get old enough to eat layer. Let us know about the hatch...

Thank you...I'll make a run to feed store for chick starter... Most just carry the medicated type tho and I'm not sure how that wil affect older girls..and eggs