Old Fashioned Broody Hen Hatch A Long and Informational Thread

[mstricer]

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Could she be cold and sleeping down in the bedding for extra warmth? She hasn't been per hint for awhile and she is already used to having the extra insulation the bedding provided for her. I used to live in MI and it gets pretty cold at night this time of year up north. (I remember trick or treating some years in the snow!) I'm wondering if she just hasn't adjusted as well to the cooler temps because she's had to keep warmer for the chicks. Not sure, but thought I'd throw that idea out!

Okay, I promise I'll have pics of momma and baby today. I can't keep working through lunch!! Must do something more fun!

I doubt she's cold, they have an insulated coop. I have chicks younger then them in the coop, without a momma, and it don't seem to be a problem. I did put the chick on the perch hoping she would follow but now she just slept on top of the nesting boxes. When I went in to feed this morning, she actually jumped up on the roost which is the first time I saw that since she started setting, maybe she's coming around.

 

[Jloeffler]

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Could she be cold and sleeping down in the bedding for extra warmth? She hasn't been per hint for awhile and she is already used to having the extra insulation the bedding provided for her. I used to live in MI and it gets pretty cold at night this time of year up north. (I remember trick or treating some years in the snow!) I'm wondering if she just hasn't adjusted as well to the cooler temps because she's had to keep warmer for the chicks. Not sure, but thought I'd throw that idea out!

Okay, I promise I'll have pics of momma and baby today. I can't keep working through lunch!! Must do something more fun!

I doubt she's cold, they have an insulated coop. I have chicks younger then them in the coop, without a momma, and it don't seem to be a problem. I did put the chick on the perch hoping she would follow but now she just slept on top of the nesting boxes. When I went in to feed this morning, she actually jumped up on the roost which is the first time I saw that since she started setting, maybe she's coming around.

Huh. She's just set on stumping us all! Maybe just plain ol' stubborn??

 

[Jloeffler]

Okay, here's pics from the chicks first day out of the coop:

My favorite! They were all taking turns being "King of the Mountain". She's so patient with them!! Both were enjoying the sunshine too!

 

[Miss Lydia]

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So precious, nothing sweeter than mama and babies.

 

[djennings]

I have a broody silkie sitting on 6 eggs and I have notice when I take her off in the morning to eat there is a whole lot of mosquitos in her nest, know any safe way of keeping them out?

 

[Miss Lydia]

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Do you have any food grade DE right off hand can't think of anything else. you could dust lightly the nest and eggs.

 

[Arielle]

SHe did it!!

Our BO sat and sat and sat and sat. We based her setting date on the day she went missing. Clearly she went missing long before we knew she was missing. Because last night when I brought out her daily rations of food and water, I heard a cheep! A week before the date marked on the calendar!

A whole week early!

THis girl had scooped out a beautiful, deep nest in a corner of a horse stall. And based on the colors of the egg shells she convinced all her friends to contribute to the mass of eggs. TOtal of 13 eggs in many hues of brown and blues. She was very happy to sit and incubate and defend, at least verbally

, against intruders. ( Much more docile than a RIR laying!)

At 10 and still waiting. 3 eggs still in the nest.

Based on many of the experiences posted here, I have taken the chicks that hatched and put them in a brooder, because the predators: hawks, coyote, etc will surely grab them one by one.

Will post pics later.

 

[Miss Lydia]

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I hope mama will get to raise them

 

[Arielle]

My girls all free range. The chicks will get picked off one by one. Maybe someday when I have better provisions for a broody hen.

Still in my first year of learning chickens and their needs. Still building coops and pens.

 

[Miss Lydia]

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Well I am not coming down on you at all but my chickens all free range and I haven't lost a chick yet or I say they haven't. But you have to do what you feel is best for your flock. Congrats on the great hatch and hope the others hatch too.