Old Fashioned Broody Hen Hatch A Long and Informational Thread

[bobbieschicks]

I kicked everyone out to free range and closed the run door. Then I opened Smokeys door because she kept bok boking. She flew out ran around a bit then got into the big side of the coop. The babies went wild screeching. I put them over with her and they settled down. But the I moved them all back over. The roosters leave Monday or Tuesday. After that I plan to move Smokey and her babies back over to the floor of the coop.

 

[Miss Lydia]

I kicked everyone out to free range and closed the run door. Then I opened Smokeys door because she kept bok boking. She flew out ran around a bit then got into the big side of the coop. The babies went wild screeching. I put them over with her and they settled down. But the I moved them all back over. The roosters leave Monday or Tuesday. After that I plan to move Smokey and her babies back over to the floor of the coop.

Good idea. I have been trying off an on all day to post pics of my new EEs but BYC won't let me keeps saying temp. error.

 

[Niss]

This is Laura. She has layed eggs right here in the past.

Since the rain last week I've been noticing she is ALWAYS sitting right here. I've moved her to nests and she growls at me either jumps right back or sulks out of the coop. Until today. She sat down and bulldozed an egg underneath her. It was classic; her entire head and neck disappeared. I was about over the moon excited, since TSC could be getting the chicks I want at any time. I came in the house, assembled a lasagna, and then took the boy out to show him our new broody.

But she was here:


So what do you guys think? Is she broody? Should I crate her? Or does a watched hen never brood? Thanks folks!

 

[Miss Lydia]

This is Laura. She has layed eggs right here in the past.

Since the rain last week I've been noticing she is ALWAYS sitting right here. I've moved her to nests and she growls at me either jumps right back or sulks out of the coop. Until today. She sat down and bulldozed an egg underneath her. It was classic; her entire head and neck disappeared. I was about over the moon excited, since TSC could be getting the chicks I want at any time. I came in the house, assembled a lasagna, and then took the boy out to show him our new broody.

But she was here:


So what do you guys think? Is she broody? Should I crate her? Or does a watched hen never brood? Thanks folks!

She's either broody or in deep thought.

 

[stonykill]

She's either broody or in deep thought.

yes! What Miss Lydia said!

 

[JakRat]

Yeah! Two broody hens at once! Are they sharing a clutch or does each have their own?

I will try to take a pic tonight. I dont think that they are sharing. My little serama I think is just keeping her company. When I look in Opal (my serama) hops out of the nest to say hello.

I am starting to think that broody fever may be setting in. I looked in last night and my EE Loraine was trying to nest with two eggs, she didnt really seem to have the hang of it. She hasnt laid any eggs for me yet and she is 8 months old!!!!

 

[Niss]

I've told her a dozen times she can't hatch babies or raise them on top of this cage, but she doesn't listen. Would locking her up help her settle on to a nest she could have chicks in safely?

 

[artsyrobin]

ok, she is a silkie, synonomous with broooddddyyyy....LOL!! my flo will mope around like that a few days, i will find her the dog carrier, pop a couple eggs in there and she pops in there no matter what.... this has happened 3 times in the last year... she is happiest being a mama- sooo... i'd give her a nestbox, and try her with a couple eggs and see if that is her plan...

 

[stonykill]

I was just going through my pictures. Found this picture of this handsome young man!



and my favorite picture. "mama" with her 2nd brood of last year. Mama is the blue. And her broody buddy. They hatched a few days apart last summer and did everything together. Somehow the chicks knew who was who. Although"mama did steal one blue chick from the black!

 

[Nimby Chickens]

My hen has a broody buddy too! I was going to ask if they will get along and raise babies together. They were sitting on the same nest until I moved one and put her own eggs under her. One's about a week behind the other as far as egg development.

These are my first broody girls and I am so excited to let momma do it!!!