Old Fashioned Broody Hen Hatch A Long and Informational Thread

[stonykill]

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you don't have to worry about anything. That is Mama's job! 1st broody this year was in early March, when it was still quite cold here. The way I see it is broody season ends when the hens stop laying for the season. Until then, it is ON!

 

[BarnGoddess01]

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[Miss Lydia]

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You know, I don't think that article is that great. It's OK, but doesn't really answer all the questions, celebrations and shared experiences we've been addressing here.

Nope it doesn't jennifer, but it gets to the practical which is to let mama do her thing. and trust her to know how to do it better than us. Thats what i was getting at and stony has been trying to get into our heads from the beginning.

 

[BarnGoddess01]

A day short of 2 weeks old and broody Red Sex Link mama FINALLY gets the kids outside the coop for their first successful session of free-ranging. Moulting broody mama looks rather more like a porcupine right now than a chicken. Good thing she is also getting the higher protein chick starter. I’m bettin’ she needs it!! Not necessarily graceful – there is a 10” drop from my coop floor to the ground BUT they all made it – out and back in. Oy.

Then the fun REALLY begins. After pounding a few pullets that dared snoop around OR think they might enter the coop for a bite to eat -

broody mama finds an earth worm – and not a small earth worm either. Well, chaos ensued, truly. Even mom was frantic. One chick stole the WHOLE worm and was off. Maybe 2 inches high, tanking off with 3 inches of earth worm.

Mom finally catches up and snags a piece of it. Calms things down a bit. I was SURE two of the chicks would choke on the pieces they downed. Not a pretty sight.

Oh, to be a chicken. Such a fascinating life they lead. I could watch these guys ALL day. At this point, we are all resting comfortably – mama broody safely back in her broody box with all 3 chicks – a little plumper perhaps.

 

[Miss Lydia]

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you missed your calling , writing and photography. I do enjoy your stories and pics. Thanks.

 

[Rachel'sFlock]

Thanks, as always for the advice against intervening. My AliceAnn has been sitting in the same spot since the first night I moved her, and I am convinced she hasn't eaten a bite.
But I think I fancy the water level is down a bit, so I am going to heed the advice of the Wise and leave her be.
That first broody poo is gonna be a doozy...

 

[JHillgrove]

Help! I set my eggs a few days ago. My hen decided to move the eggs yesterday, I didnt know how she could do that without breaking them all. She left one behind, but Oh Well. Today I went to get her up, there was a broken egg shell and dried eggs stuck to everything. Two eggs are stuck to her feathers on the hens belly. I could not pull them off gently enough so I didnt try. It looks like the rest of the eggs are still ok. What should I do? If I wash them off with water what would happen?

 

[BarnGoddess01]

Rachel'sFlock :

Thanks, as always for the advice against intervening. My AliceAnn has been sitting in the same spot since the first night I moved her, and I am convinced she hasn't eaten a bite.
But I think I fancy the water level is down a bit, so I am going to heed the advice of the Wise and leave her be.
That first broody poo is gonna be a doozy...

I learned the hard way. Messed with my first broody like mad thinking I knew better and the hatch was a disaster. Too many eggs - broken eggs. Unhappy hen. A complete mess. Second broody. I moved her to a safe place and let her be. Food and water within reach. The rest is up to her. She went a full 6 days before leaving that nest!! I figured if she figured she should sacrifice her life for a bunch of unrelated eggs, so be it. Who am I to judge? She pooped to prove it. Lordy, it was like nuclear waste. But, in the end, we hatched 3 chicks from 5 eggs (the other 2 were clear so broody mama absolutely did her job). And now she's the mama from hell!! Nobody is getting near those babies. I have SO learned - leave them be (and follow with a camera if you must)

Thinking ALL good thoughts for your hatch and waiting for pictures

(Maybe the camera helps. Sets one is watch mode rather than interfere mode ... ?)​

 

[chickencrazymamahen]

Hi all, been reading along when time permits....wonderful thread!! I have my first broody ever sitting on a dozen eggs that should hatch next Tuesday. Hoping they were fertile, the only roo I had was 17 week old guy, hope he was taking good care of business. She also seemingly doesn't move, the first week I could tell she was eating, etc.; but not now, nothing seems touched, although she does face different directions some days. Will keep you posted!!

 

[Rachel'sFlock]

Thank you, BarnGoddess, I think that is an excellent idea, being the Watcher (read:stalker) rather than an intervene-r!
I don't know "squat" about being a broody hen. But AliceAnn seems to be an expert, all of a sudden. I shall leave her to it, and document every gruelingly impatient moment of this journey. Oh, wait, she is at perfect peace. I guess I am the only one suffering impatience at this time!
Thanks again for the wise advice, and hand holding.
...and we've only just begun...