Old Fashioned Broody Hen Hatch A Long and Informational Thread

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I'm new to this myself but I've done a bit of reading and I'm the only one around right now so maybe I can help...
I think the advice about the coop is to either move her to a safe spot on the ground once all of the chicks hatch or I think there was someone on this thread that had a raised coop and the advice was to build some kind of a ramp with sides. If I remember correctly the person did end up just making a better ramp and then when it was time Momma just walked them down and showed them what to do. As far as the temps, again I understand that Momma knows best. She'll keep them warm by plopping down right on top of them if needed. I wouldn't worry too much about temps of 50. Eggs take about 21 days to hatch. I think you have a day or two that the chicks already hatched can live without food because of the yolk. Hope some of that helps. Have fun with your babies. Oh, we all love pics...hint hint.

(If anyone sees I gave incorrect info, PLEASE correct.
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Thank you!!
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Quote:
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.
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I suppose if it's for a good cause... Wait, how many hens does he have all together?

lol, yup # 14 has been sitting strong since sunday night. One of the girls that hatched this spring is sitting on 4 eggs. 2 are hers, 2 from another hen. I purposely didn't tell my mom (who was chicken caretaker while we were away) where this girls nest was. In hopes she would go broody. And she did.

I'm doing my part for Sumatra's!
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It's pretty much been non stop rain here since sunday afternoon. Can't get good pics yet of my 3 broody mama's and their little ones. Or the nearly grown up broody hatches from this spring/summer. I bet I can hit 15 broody's before it is over
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You guys still got broodies?

Mine stopped 2 months ago!

My friend has a broody muscovy hen but i dont know how many eggs she has underneath her.
 
Last edited:
Quote:
I'm new to this myself but I've done a bit of reading and I'm the only one around right now so maybe I can help...
I think the advice about the coop is to either move her to a safe spot on the ground once all of the chicks hatch or I think there was someone on this thread that had a raised coop and the advice was to build some kind of a ramp with sides. If I remember correctly the person did end up just making a better ramp and then when it was time Momma just walked them down and showed them what to do. As far as the temps, again I understand that Momma knows best. She'll keep them warm by plopping down right on top of them if needed. I wouldn't worry too much about temps of 50. Eggs take about 21 days to hatch. I think you have a day or two that the chicks already hatched can live without food because of the yolk. Hope some of that helps. Have fun with your babies. Oh, we all love pics...hint hint.

(If anyone sees I gave incorrect info, PLEASE correct.
wink.png
)

Thank you!!
smile.png


slurrywidow, you did great!! Please ya'
ll don't worry about temps, mama is well endowed to keep her chicks warm she is wearing down remember? keep up the good work and let us know when chicks start hatching and CONGRATS!! to those that have chicks hatching NOW. like has been said We Love Pics.
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And Welcome back stony!!
 
So, Stonykill, if I understand you correctly I don't have to worry about temps? If the hen wants to go broody, who am I to worry about time of year? When does "Broody season" end?
I had been worried when Fluffy Britches started sitting, but saw many who were still hatching, so I gave her eggs--due the 17th.
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EricH--funny, thanks for posting. Was the first one okay on it's own so young?

Shepan2, what's the word? And, in case you didn't get the hint, give us pics, please! Don't be intimidated by BarnGoddess's photos either, my pics are NEVER that good.
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To me this is the best info available on the broody hen, I think we should stop fretting so much and sit back and let these hens do their thing, they will not sit or put their chicks in harms way, I know there are few exceptions when a broody does something we don't expect, like killing her chicks or leaving the nest but for the majority they are the best at being mamas and sure have been doing it a lot longer than any of us. Baby chicks hatched naturally by a broody never get pasty butt or cocci, mamas Know their stuff, I have never worried about my mamas and their chicks, I get stressed about the hens when they don't leave the nest for days but even then we probably shouldn't intervene but we do which is okay. So lets all sit back and enjoy the antiscipation of the next 21 days or how ever many you have left before the big day and do some reading it will help to ease your mind. I have this saved so if I get anxious I just read it again..... Happy Hatching!!
http://www.themodernhomestead.us/article/Broody-Hens-1.html
 

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