Old Fashioned Broody Hen Hatch A Long and Informational Thread

[Miss Lydia]

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Okay I remebered you saying she was broody but couldn't remember if she was actually sitting on something.

My lil frizzle wants to incubate but she is having to wait too.

 

[newlyweds]

I know all my fellow broody hatches will appreciate this story. But be prepared to read a little chicky miracle. NO joke I am still in shock this happened.

I had a first time silkie broody hatch out a clutch yesterday evening she had hatched about 4 chicks and still 3 eggs under her. So I left her in the nest with a feed sack wrapped around her so no chicks would be bothered by other hens or fall out of the nest that is about 4 feet high. First thing this morning I went to check on Ducky (the broody) and I saw a dead chick on the ground, cold and completely dead, no other injuries but just too cold. Not breathing, moving, etc etc.

But this may sound weird but I wanted the chick to warm up a bit so I stuck her in my sports bra right next to my skin. I went about moving the broody and the chicks to a safer location and then pulled the chick out of my bra and checked on it. Rubbed around on it's back and it's legs moved.

So I quickly ran in the house and slowly warmed it up with a blow dryer, by that time the chick was chirping and breathing on it's own. I held on to it about another hour, and by the time I put it out with Ducky she was sitting on her feet about 9 am. I went to check on them later this afternoon and I could barely tell which chick it was, eating, walking and doing just fine!!!

I am so happy I didn't just bury that chick!!!

ETA:It was 40 degrees this morning.

 

[Johnn]

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well its lucky you out it in your bra

 

[stonykill]

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I had something similar happen once. I found a similarly "ded " chick. I picked it up, and set it down in the sun, to deal with in a little while. Well a little while turned into about an hour. Suddenly I heard LOUD chirping. It was that chick! She is about 4 months old now.

 

[Sumatra503]

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well its lucky you out it in your bra

I have done this so many times and it always amazes me! Glad the little guy made it!

 

[upcdayz]

Good news! The wait is finally over! The little Serama chick finally hatched this evening while I was out. It's soooo adorable - and tiny!

Tiny baby

Momma hen with her baby

 

[Blarneyeggs]

Yay Upcdayz!

Great story Newlyweds.... And too funny about the bra, yes, I too believe that bras are optional while checking the coop.

 

[kristip]

Glad I found this thread... ok here is my story... I have a 8 month old Buff Orp that is in my small backyard coop setup that went broody. I let her be for a few weeks but saw that she was not going to quit (I have no roos) so tried to break her of being broody but did not work so friends gave me some fertile eggs. I noticed that one of the bullys was pulling her off the nest so they could lay in their favorite nestbox and she would not go back right away... so hopefully they are ok. Anyway- got a few more eggs and put her in a xlarge plastic dog cage in garage with eggs. she is sitting on them nice now that she is contained. It is getting cold here too I should mention. No snow, but I am sure in next few weeks it will fly.

Here are my questions:
1. If she hatches any out- is this cage enough room for 1 or 2 babies and her for a little bit?
2. We love our babies handheld friendly for kids- would I remove mom at that point and put her back in with the big girls and house raise these babies?
3. If only 1 hatch - is momma enough to care for them or get her another little chick friend?
4. how long shoudl I keep her with the chicks to ensure she is done being broody and will not just sit in the nest when I put her back with the big girls...


thanks!!

 

[BarnGoddess01]

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Dog crate should be fine for mama and her brood for a bit.

I don't believe in removing chicks from broody moms. They do a good job of raising them. Chicks can be made human friendly with the regular delivery of treats. I gave mine hard boiled eggs every day. Chicks loved it and so did mom. She clucked and called the kids. Much excitement. My chicks believe they have two moms. Plus, integration with the flock goes MUCH better if they have an established member (broody mom) to help them along.

Broody mom should be fine with just one if that's all that hatches.

Broody mom should let you know when she's ready to take the kids out to meet the world. It won't be much at this time of year if you're climate is anything like mine. Those kids needs to be warm so mom will have to spend a lot of time sitting on them. Make sure she has food and water VERY near by.

 

[Miss Lydia]

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How precious is that.

Congratulations