Old Fashioned Broody Hen Hatch A Long and Informational Thread

[Miss Lydia]

Oh my what happened? I am so sorry to hear that...

I just found out that my baby (6 month old) rooster Nugget died last night too. I am hoping that these babies go without a hitch. I just dont think I could take anymore heart break.

 

[Miss Lydia]

Things are calming down out there - and I think Smokey is letting the others go in to roost tonight. LOL! She has been running everyone out all day. She came out once to dust bathe and got attacked by just about everyone - I guess they were sick of her attacking them just for jumping up into the coop. If you even look sideways at her she's attacking.

The other two chicks are settling down in Smokey's old area. They are just 4.5 weeks old - but I have decided to try them out there tonight without adding heat. They've been inside the house and the heat lamp has slowly been diminished to just 70F. And they were without it for a few nights. It's about 70F right now inside the coop. Tonight's weather is mid to upper 50Fs - weird, I know. What do you think? Will they be fine or should I turn the lamp on very low? It will be over them and under the rest of the flock.

are they fully feathered? if so they should be fine. My going on 3 week old chicks are under a heat lamp still of course but it's staying around 78-80 and they are doing great.

 

[JakRat]

Oh my what happened? I am so sorry to hear that...

He apparently wasnt going in at night, got cold, got pnemonia or something like that and passed away last night. His new owner was really upset by it and gave him meds and hand fed him and all. I felt bad, but at least now he and his coop mate are in that free range patch in the sky together.

I am starting to think that it was maybe the farm I had bought them from that was the problem. I have never had so many problems before.

 

[bobbieschicks]

I just found out that my baby (6 month old) rooster Nugget died last night too. I am hoping that these babies go without a hitch. I just dont think I could take anymore heart break.

I'm so sorry.

 

[jc12551]

Over the last two days I noticed one of my BTW Japanese bantams consistently on a nest of mixed chicken, turkey, and bantam eggs. I went out tonight after dark and she was still on it. I tried to see how many eggs she has, but all I got for that was a bloody hand

I will have to move her because yesterday one of my turkey hens literally threw her off the nest. Other hens are trying to add eggs to the nest. Plus I watched her roll eggs out of other nests into her nest yesterday. I already think she has too may eggs under her because I can see them sticking out from her feathers.

I have never had a hen go broody. So I have no experience with this.

So when should I move her? I have a bantam pen that was never really used (she lived in it once) I am afraid that she might abandon her eggs if I move her.
Should I provide food/water inside the coop and keep her locked up once she is moved?!?
How do I move a broody hen without getting eaten alive? She is my least tame/friendly bantam.

I am sure I could find these answers if I read all 711 pages of the thread...

Thanks!

 

[bobbieschicks]

are they fully feathered? if so they should be fine. My going on 3 week old chicks are under a heat lamp still of course but it's staying around 78-80 and they are doing great.

They are mostly feathered. Its 60F outside and 8:15pm. I'm thinking they will be fine.

 

[bobbieschicks]

Over the last two days I noticed one of my BTW Japanese bantams consistently on a nest of mixed chicken, turkey, and bantam eggs. I went out tonight after dark and she was still on it. I tried to see how many eggs she has, but all I got for that was a bloody hand

I will have to move her because yesterday one of my turkey hens literally threw her off the nest. Other hens are trying to add eggs to the nest. Plus I watched her roll eggs out of other nests into her nest yesterday. I already think she has too may eggs under her because I can see them sticking out from her feathers.

I have never had a hen go broody. So I have no experience with this.

So when should I move her? I have a bantam pen that was never really used (she lived in it once) I am afraid that she might abandon her eggs if I move her.
Should I provide food/water inside the coop and keep her locked up once she is moved?!?
How do I move a broody hen without getting eaten alive? She is my least tame/friendly bantam.

I am sure I could find these answers if I read all 711 pages of the thread...

Thanks!

Put on leather or thick gloves. Make the area ready with food nearby and water nearby so she can get up to get it. Make the nest ready. Move her at night, that is when most chickens become docile. Then mark the eggs with a marker so you can identify them and put the eggs you want her to hatch under her by cupping them with your hand over them so she doesn't peck the eggs. Then lock her in for the night. She should move fine.

 

[Tripp16]

30 minutes until day 10!! Ahh! Its going by so fast! I cannot wait until the 19th to see if any hatch!

 

[1Chick Magnet]

my broodies are silkies and cochins. 1 is a full size cochin on about 15 banty eggs. I had yet another silkie go broody yesterday. the 2 in the cellar have hatchery chicks. the girls sat on eggs for over 2 weeks. I got a hatchery order and thought it would be easier to let the girls do the work. I candled-removed duds from all girls-gave the eggs to 3 hens thus freeing up 2 hens. the eggs under the girls in the coop are due to hatch any day. I also have another hatchery order in transit. I feel another presto swith-a-roo in the next few days.

Wow - you have your hands full with broodies! Sounds wonderful What breeds are the broodies? I have LOs and I think they will go broody easily as the one that started laying 3 days ago is already lingering on the nest box and tucking the ping pong balls under herself. LOL!

 

[jc12551]

Put on leather or thick gloves. Make the area ready with food nearby and water nearby so she can get up to get it. Make the nest ready. Move her at night, that is when most chickens become docile. Then mark the eggs with a marker so you can identify them and put the eggs you want her to hatch under her by cupping them with your hand over them so she doesn't peck the eggs. Then lock her in for the night. She should move fine.

Thanks for the info! Should I move her tomorrow night after three days of sitting or wait another day or to?