Old Fashioned Broody Hen Hatch A Long and Informational Thread

[lswatson111304]

Quote:
Awww Thanks!!

Ok, so I heard some distress going on and went out to check. Well my dogs decided to come check her out and FREAKED HER OUT! They were looking in the TV. LOL She was up off the egg and freaking out so I made a makeshift barrier to keep the dogs off the porch and I covered the front of the TV with a black cloth for now to give her privacy. I then came back and gave her a bowl of food and water. There is a peep hole in the side where my regulare light fixture was that I took out for her. I watched for a few minutes as she ate, and then turned around to check the egg. Then ate some more, drank some, and then turned around to check the egg. That's a good thing right?

 

[perchie.girl]

Quote:
I am so going to do this for the next project here.... Note to self .... Old TV from the thrift store.....

 

[perchie.girl]

Quote:

 

[lswatson111304]

perchie.girl :

Quote:
I am so going to do this for the next project here.... Note to self .... Old TV from the thrift store.....

Yep, I was going to turn it into a shabby chic book shelf and my husband never would help me..and yeah, it ended up a brooder! I love it! Its fun and functional. I found mine at a thrift shop out front. Asked how much? And they said Lets load it up, its free! LOL

So I just checked on my soon to be mama (as soon as my eggs get here) LOL And she is amazing. Sitting so sweetly and puffy on top of her egg. I hope she is happy when I give her some new fertile eggs. The dogs can't get to her and all is well in the world. LOL

And really, this is more fun than incubating. I realize I'm not at the "real" stuff yet because my eggs aren't here, but this feels so much more natural and fun and just awesome. I can't wait to see how she does. I'm praying she is just a wonderful amazing mama. Seeing as how she has settled in already, and put up well with me stealing the first egg, then replacing it for fear of making her mad, then moving her, then the dogs and she is STILL sitting...I think she's great.
Now HURRY UP USPS! At least update the tracking info!
I'm really thinking the eggs should be here tomorrow morning, I'm leaving town after that so I'm hopeful that she will accept them right away.​

 

[Miss Lydia]

Quote:
I am so going to do this for the next project here.... Note to self .... Old TV from the thrift store.....

Yep, I was going to turn it into a shabby chic book shelf and my husband never would help me..and yeah, it ended up a brooder! I love it! Its fun and functional. I found mine at a thrift shop out front. Asked how much? And they said Lets load it up, its free! LOL

So I just checked on my soon to be mama (as soon as my eggs get here) LOL And she is amazing. Sitting so sweetly and puffy on top of her egg. I hope she is happy when I give her some new fertile eggs. The dogs can't get to her and all is well in the world. LOL

And really, this is more fun than incubating. I realize I'm not at the "real" stuff yet because my eggs aren't here, but this feels so much more natural and fun and just awesome. I can't wait to see how she does. I'm praying she is just a wonderful amazing mama. Seeing as how she has settled in already, and put up well with me stealing the first egg, then replacing it for fear of making her mad, then moving her, then the dogs and she is STILL sitting...I think she's great.
Now HURRY UP USPS! At least update the tracking info!
I'm really thinking the eggs should be here tomorrow morning, I'm leaving town after that so I'm hopeful that she will accept them right away.

Everything i have read about shipped eggs is your to let them sit 24 hours before setting them, now I don't know if thats just in a bator or under a broody but I'd assume both. and she doesn't need a light if she is getting just regular light, it will probably keep her awake. ands not let her rest which she needs. Love the pic of the TV and she has plenty of room for food, water and chicks. Great move.

 

[lswatson111304]

OK, so if the eggs arrive tomorrow I can just let them set for a while and put them under her Saturday night when I get home. Lets hope they arrive tomorrow otherwise I'm going to have to beg my SIL to go grab them from the PO at 9am Saturday morning. I'm assuming they will be open Saturday just not Sunday or Monday.

 

[Miss Lydia]

Quote:
Sounds like a good plan, Hope they come tomorrow.

 

[artsyrobin]

set the eggs point side down in a carton 24 hours at room temp- broodies make it so simple! by the way, what kind of wire do you have on the broody tv? was thinking about it today- when they start cheeping its tempting to all critters for a snack

 

[lswatson111304]

There is only wire in the front panel and its chicken wire. I can put some hardware wire up if I need to we have some leftover from the quail pen.

 

[artsyrobin]

it just depends if she is outside on the porch, how safe is she from predators? you mentioned your dogs- mine guard our porch, so if they do that too, it probably isn't an issue..