Old Fashioned Broody Hen Hatch A Long and Informational Thread

[Miss Lydia]

Thanks ya'll I went out this morning and she is still there so as long as she still wants to sit on them then I'll not stop her. I just wish i had a better setup for my broodies so the bigger hens can't force them off the nest. But we made it work last year and we'll all get through it again this year. Talking about sharing eggs and nests, last year I had 3 sets of hens doing that it was so sweet, they never fought over the eggs or the chicks when they hatched. Shared the responsibility of rearing them too. Their all on the own this year. I haven't check on my lil hen whose hatch is due today, it's still cold so will wait till after we get home from Church, Happy hatching everyone..

 

[stonykill]

one of my 2 Sumatra Broodys, "black Broody" is starting day 17. It won't be long now!!!!!!!!!!!!

 

[Miss Lydia]

 

[marymac]

Yesterday I decided since I have a broody big enough to cover my 12 Marans eggs I would take them out of the incubator and let her hatch them. I've never tried this before. I haden't had any luck with the incubator and when she went broody I was thrilled!! I'm going to leave her hatch them in the nest she has decided on and the chicks will be free in the coop when and if they hatch. She will have to defend them, but I think all will work out. My rooster seems good and gentle with his ladies, and they all get along well with each other. We'll see. They are due to hatch on the 28, but since they were in the incubator for 9 days i will give it a day or 2 . Here is a pic of miss stinky eye.

 

[Miss Lydia]

Congrats on the broody and what a sweet picture.

 

[FF]

I FINALLY have a broody. I have waited 5 years for this. It was a hen that I got in a trade(Deleware hen) and I was going to sell her.I am so glad I didn't. I came home from work one day and was getting eggs and this little devil was sitting. I thought she was just laying. So I went on feeding and cleaning etc. and I was going to get the eggs and she was still on there. Well I went to grab them eggs and Bbbboccckkk. She pecked me. I tyred again and she did it again but just kind of ruffled her feathers and got mad. So thats when I knew that little feller was broody. I put her in a cage have her 12 eggs and she is due a week from today which is Easter Sunday! I have never heard of A deleware being broody. I have a cochin, Black Australorps, PR, Easter eggers and White Leghorns. I figured the cochin and the BA but I'm wrong 95% of the time haha. But I am perdy excited.

 

[marymac]

Now I'm afraid of getting pecked when I check for unwanted eggs layed by other hens in the nest. She pecks hard!! how do others remove unwanted eggs , do you pick up the broody and remove her? Im afraid I may break some of the eggs by trying to push her around. She sure don't want me to mess with her.

 

[Hope119]

I saw 3 babies under mama hen today. If the first one hatched yesterday (afternoon, probably), how long will he be okay without water? I saw there is one more egg zipped there... who knows, maybe it'll hatch too. I want to give it more time before I move them somehow so they will be able to get out to get water. I put some feed into the nest (mama started eating right away). I also hand fed her last night, and gave her a bit of water from my hand last night and this morning. Tried to get pics, but by the time I was back with camera, babies did not want to get out from under her.

 

[marymac]

Quote:
They don't need food or water for 2-3 days. That's why baby chicks can be shipped when they are a day old. They live off their yolk sack for a couple of days

 

[country freedom]

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