Old Fashioned Broody Hen Hatch A Long and Informational Thread

[lizrndiver]

Update....

The two eggs I put in the incubator hatched. One has a soft navel, not infected looking, but just like it didn't detach as clean as I usually like.

I'm sure I will try again. I wish I knew who to try next time. I guess it is trial and error. I will probably wait until spring now since the night are getting pretty cold.

That way if they bail out, I have a change to save them.

Liz

 

[Miss Lydia]

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anywhere from 3 to 12 weeks, or that seemed to be the norm here, and yes my girls that hatched here their girls have been the ones to go broody. I have 1 broody already from this years hatch,

none of my hatchery girls have gone broody, and seems the bantams are the best broodies so far. although my game hen who is over 21/2 years old makes a great broody and stayed with her chicks 9 weeks. my bantam frizzle was the winner though at 11 weeks.

 

[Miss Lydia]

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I've heard dabbing some iodine on the navel will help it dry up. Congrats on the hatch..

 

[BarnGoddess01]

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anywhere from 3 to 12 weeks, or that seemed to be the norm here, and yes my girls that hatched here their girls have been the ones to go broody. I have 1 broody already from this years hatch,

none of my hatchery girls have gone broody, and seems the bantams are the best broodies so far. although my game hen who is over 21/2 years old makes a great broody and stayed with her chicks 9 weeks. my bantam frizzle was the winner though at 11 weeks.

Fingers crossed, my bantam frizzle is a girl. Not a lot of comb development so far so

The only 2 broodies I've had so far were both hatchery. I started with 5 and of those, 2 have gone broody - first was a Barred Rock. Disaster. Not sure her hormones were completely committed but even if they were, my interference totally finished her off.

The current broody whom I would consider a total success is a Red Sex Link. Totally unexpected. But as you have no doubt gleaned from my posts, I dote on my birds as if they were children so all bets are off with me as the mom!!!

I have a few birds from my spring incubator hatch that I'm thinking might end being broodies down the road. They love to ride around on my back and still expect to be picked up and cuddled even at 20 weeks. Ameraucana, Marans, and EEs. I would LOVE to have a coop full of broodies ...

 

[BarnGoddess01]

Updated family pictures .... 2 weeks and a day old

The Vogue shot with just the barest hint of muffs on that EE face

I can't believe the feathers on this frizzle. Never seen a chick feather so fast - but likely just more obvious because of the frizzle factor

 

[babigyrl22]

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Pretty pictures! Love the EE...what a cutie!

 

[Rachel'sFlock]

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Oh Liz...

I am so sorry that happened to you.
I have no wisdom, whatever, being a complete newbie to broody-hatching, but I send blessings of comfort and encouragement to you, at this time.

 

[Miss Lydia]

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I love the pics, Barn G. and that frizzle is so precious, but i am parcial to frizzles

and seems I read somewhere that females feather faster than males.

 

[Jloeffler]

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Pretty pictures! Love the EE...what a cutie!

X2!! She does look like a model posing for her cover shot! Out of curiosity, what type of camera do you use? You take some of the cleanest, clearest pictures I have seen. I'm assuming some of that is due to talent, but I know a good camera doesn't hurt!

 

[michaelinnc84]

Those are some beautiful birds!