Old Fashioned Broody Hen Hatch A Long and Informational Thread

[BarnGoddess01]

Quote:
Might work, will she get on the eggs on her own at all? my frizzle hatched 2 chicks and still had 3 eggs to go, when she was through brooding she rolled those eggs out from under her and never looked back. When are the guineas hatch day?

I think my silly Red Sex Link broody would have stayed on the unhatched eggs indefinitely. I finally stole them out from under her when she stood up to stretch. That was about 3 days after the first ones hatched. And she was NOT happy about it. Got myself a few good pecks for my troubles ...

 

[artsyrobin]

Quote:
Might work, will she get on the eggs on her own at all? my frizzle hatched 2 chicks and still had 3 eggs to go, when she was through brooding she rolled those eggs out from under her and never looked back. When are the guineas hatch day?

I think my silly Red Sex Link broody would have stayed on the unhatched eggs indefinitely. I finally stole them out from under her when she stood up to stretch. That was about 3 days after the first ones hatched. And she was NOT happy about it. Got myself a few good pecks for my troubles ...

thats funny! none of my big hens have gone broody at all...

ok, today is day 26 for the guineas- the problem there is i snuck them from the guineas, so i'm not positive on date- but it should be close, will post pics of the eggs in a bit- i lost one of the females, she was hand raised and a pet, would come up to be petted even when running with the flock- so i am really hoping one of these are hers

 

[Huston's Happy Hens]

Does anyone have experience of keeping two broodies w/their chicks together? - I have 2 broodies in the main coop, and the chicks will be delivered sometime this week (fertilized eggs were an absolute -100% hatch) -
so I've ordered some - I'd like to put the hens together with the chicks in a different area - a double run dog house that we call broody hall. We've always had 100% success with broody moms adopting the chicks (given to them after dark) - thoughts?? - thanks!

 

[BarnGoddess01]

Yet more pictures coming your way ....

Moulting broody mama finally got a dustbath after weeks of going without

Look at this little guy and his upright tail. I thought when I first saw the comb on this little one - "boy" and nothing about him so far has changed my mind!!!

My handsome Blue Copper Marans cockerel (21 weeks old) checking things out - trying to remain aloof so as not to attract Mama Broody's attention

Moulting Broody Mama looks awfully happy, doesn't she?

Dust bath wrapping up. The kids are relieved.

 

[heatherkh]

Heh, love the nonchalant roo! What an adorable family.

I'm kind of going crazy being at work! I just want to run home and do another fuzzy head count. My bf is working from home today, but he isn't giving me the amount of updates I require *tappy foot*

 

[Miss Lydia]

Huston's Happy Hens :

Does anyone have experience of keeping two broodies w/their chicks together? - I have 2 broodies in the main coop, and the chicks will be delivered sometime this week (fertilized eggs were an absolute -100% hatch) -
so I've ordered some - I'd like to put the hens together with the chicks in a different area - a double run dog house that we call broody hall. We've always had 100% success with broody moms adopting the chicks (given to them after dark) - thoughts?? - thanks!

So you want to keep them together in the main coop? or put them together in the double run dog house? either way there maybe some squabbles especially when the chicks are learning who mama is but they usually sort it out pretty good by themselves.​

 

[Miss Lydia]

Quote:
As usual pictures are great, and isn't it funny when mama takes dust bath and kicks her chick across the yard?

 

[artsyrobin]

ok, one of the other silkie hens is apparently going broody too, so i popped her in the dog crate with the guinea eggs and she immediately went to talking to them and tucking them under her....

here are the eggs

 

[Miss Lydia]

Quote:
sounds like someone knew you needed help and answered.. My candleing leaves alot to be desired so I can not say one way or the other. how long does it take for guinea eggs to hatch..

 

[Jloeffler]

Great pics BarnGoddess! Love the nonchalant roo, his name wouldn't be Bond by any chance, would it?

Broody question: my poor example of a momma hen (still love her, just have zero plans of ever giving her babies again) has been off the nest for almost a week. Since she isn't caring for babies will she start laying again quicker or will it still be several months before she lays again? Funny thing, too. She's actually friendlier now than she was. She's still shy, but not anywhere near as much. Apparently me WBA ping her with a spoon to protect the babies got her all relaxed???