Old Fashioned Broody Hen Hatch A Long and Informational Thread

[artsyrobin]

thanks everyone, using hubby's computer so none of my chicken stuff is on it...sigh

yes i have broodies, but wanted an incubator as backup- still may do that- my big problem with this particular hen is her refusal to accept being moved... she refuses to sit the eggs if i move her...

 

[bobbieschicks]

Would I need to put a heat lamp on my broody and her chicks after they hatch? I have a plug ready if so. How will I know if there are too many for her to keep warm? I plan to check on her again shortly. The other eggs go to lockdown on Thursday evening. I would love to get at least two pullets of each breed.

 

[Niss]

What I would do if space allows is just go ahead and put in the heatlamp if you are having normal spring weather (ie not a heat wave). Any chicks that don't fit under her will use it. If in a few days you've never seen a chick warming up there you will know it's unnessicary. Although I don't have the practical experiance backing that up, as my broodies only had 4 a piece. The one started ranging with hers right away and would squat down in the middle of the yard when they were getting cold.

 

[bobbieschicks]

Quote:


Okay that sounds good. We are having weird warm weather one day and cold the next. I plan to put the 8 from the brooder under her too. So I'll keep an eye out. Also I doubt all will hatch, so there will be some number less then 16 in the end.

 

[r devries]

Have one crossbred bantam sitting on 4 black sex link X eggs two dark cornish X two production red X and two other eggs
total 10 eggs!

 

[bobbieschicks]

Have one crossbred bantam sitting on 4 black sex link X eggs two dark cornish X two production red X and two other eggs
total 10 eggs!

Wow! How did you get them all under her? I'm tempted to put my other 8 eggs in front of Smokey to see if she will pull them under, but I'm worried that would be too many. She'd have 16 if I gave her all the eggs. She's a mixed Araucana and on the smaller size.

 

[perchie.girl]

you also have to remember a hen is going to provide a lot of warmth.... and each chick is going to have its own heat output.... a BUNCH-A chicks and a hen is going to be alot warrmer than a hen and a single chick. Id put the heat source in a postion where the hen can move herself and the chicks if she wants to, Or move away from it fi she wants to so she can regulate everyones comfort.

deb "all her hens raised em out in the rosemary bush in the yard"

Quote:

 

[Miss Lydia]

I don't even think a heat lamp is necessary, mama will take care of them but I think your pushing it by putting too many under her, since you already have your bator running now why not wait and give her the rest when they hatch, but again she may not be able to keep them all warm, then put in the heat but not over mama you don't want to roast her.

 

[bobbieschicks]

Okay I'll wait until the rest hatch and then move them out with her. Do I move them as soon as they hatch or wait for them to dry off completely? I'll put the lamp in the middle. Between her & the food. I suppose I won't need it at 95F, I do have a dimmer for it. If I need to turn it on I can and it won't be directly over Smokey.

 

[stonykill]

I don't even think a heat lamp is necessary, mama will take care of them but I think your pushing it by putting too many under her, since you already have your bator running now why not wait and give her the rest when they hatch, but again she may not be able to keep them all warm, then put in the heat but not over mama you don't want to roast her.

these are also my thoughts and concerns