Old Fashioned Broody Hen Hatch A Long and Informational Thread

[Miss Lydia]

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Mutts are good, we have some mixed game/ cochin bantam and they are pretty birds. Very sweet pic. are you able to pick up and egg to listen for peeping?

 

[bobcart]

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Mutts are good, we have some mixed game/ cochin bantam and they are pretty birds. Very sweet pic. are you able to pick up and egg to listen for peeping?

I've been chicken (ahem) to do that. I may wait until my 1st grader gets home in a few hours if I can stand it.

 

[Miss Lydia]

Quote:
Mutts are good, we have some mixed game/ cochin bantam and they are pretty birds. Very sweet pic. are you able to pick up and egg to listen for peeping?

I've been chicken (ahem) to do that. I may wait until my 1st grader gets home in a few hours if I can stand it.

If you can it is amazing to hear the little chick peeping inside the egg and I know your first grader would be tickled to hear it. if they are due to hatch tomorrow then you should be able to hear some peeping. Is your hen a first time mama?

 

[Hillbilly Hen]

I saw a pip last night but no chicks yet. Two eggs and I can hear one pecking and one chirping. How long does this take???

 

[BarnGoddess01]

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Congratulations!!

(Mama doesn't look entirely thrilled to be having her picture taken

)

 

[BarnGoddess01]

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It's like a 5 year old waiting for Christmas! It might as well be YEARS!!!!!

(It can happen fast or it can take awhile. I think mine were spread out over about 2 days. More experienced hatchers will let you know, I'm sure.)

 

[Niss]

Here are the pics! I'm sorry it's been a long time coming...these are outdated and I should rush home and take more...

The final four

Fluffy Britches in the nest

Fluffy Britches' genetic offspring

Half Silver Spangled Hamburg

There are two little yellow chicks, and I don't know which is the EE and which came from the sexlink.

Update on Wiggen's brood. She still sleeps with them in the nest, but is spending more and more of the day doing her own thing.

Everyone is doing well. The mamas are among the first out of the coop everyday. A difference in parenting styles I've noted is that Fluffy Britches, almost from the start, was taking the chicks all over the yard. If they get chilled she plopps down on them, but they go all the way to the front of the house, a good 60 yds at least. Where Wiggens spent the first few weeks right around the coop.

Also, Lydia, I hope you don't mind, but I've named my black sweed after you

 

[Miss Lydia]

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sweet pics Niss, and I am honored.

 

[bobcart]

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I've been chicken (ahem) to do that. I may wait until my 1st grader gets home in a few hours if I can stand it.

If you can it is amazing to hear the little chick peeping inside the egg and I know your first grader would be tickled to hear it. if they are due to hatch tomorrow then you should be able to hear some peeping. Is your hen a first time mama?

Well I couldn't resist. I had to go listen. I checked four eggs but didn't want to bother her too much and stopped there. Amazingly, I could hear peeping from the first one! The others had pipping or pecking sounds but not peeping. I'm hoping that's not a bad thing? All eggs but two of the remaining 13 are at 21 days. The unknown two were added a day later by an opportunistic other hen before I got them all labeled. That was important, because even 4 more were added before I made the separate broody box.

 

[Miss Lydia]

Quote:
If you can it is amazing to hear the little chick peeping inside the egg and I know your first grader would be tickled to hear it. if they are due to hatch tomorrow then you should be able to hear some peeping. Is your hen a first time mama?

Well I couldn't resist. I had to go listen. I checked four eggs but didn't want to bother her too much and stopped there. Amazingly, I could hear peeping from the first one! The others had pipping or pecking sounds but not peeping. I'm hoping that's not a bad thing? All eggs but two of the remaining 13 are at 21 days. The unknown two were added a day later by an opportunistic other hen before I got them all labeled. That was important, because even 4 more were added before I made the separate broody box.

good good good!!so hopefully tonight and tomorrow more chicks to stare at. excited for you and hope you have a great hatch. she most likely sit a few more days after the first ones hatch, but make sure theres food and water close especially for the first little one she'll have it eating after 24 hrs.