Old Fashioned Broody Hen Hatch A Long and Informational Thread

[Niss]

Broody Cuyuga

At least I think so. She attacked me like no ones business. The silkie that I thought was going broody got eaten yesterday, but in the mean time 1st broody stole her duck eggs. I tried to move them under the duck and she broke at least that many

 

[Tripp16]

Day 20 and no chicks yet....Im starting to get worried. She is still sitting on all 4 eggs and the 2 I candled on day 10 were alive and growing. I sure hope she didnt waste her time. What do you guys think?

 

[michaelinnc84]

I have updated the first two posts of this thread. Please if you have a chance review them, especially the FAQs and PM me with anything you guys think should be added to help others get started. Thanks everyone!

 

[michaelinnc84]

Average hatch day is day 21 and they can hatch up to day 25 so your still in the zone. Hope they hatch!

Day 20 and no chicks yet....Im starting to get worried. She is still sitting on all 4 eggs and the 2 I candled on day 10 were alive and growing. I sure hope she didnt waste her time. What do you guys think?

 

[Tripp16]

Average hatch day is day 21 and they can hatch up to day 25 so your still in the zone. Hope they hatch!

Thanks!! I hope so to!!

 

[justacouplemorechicks]

My first egg hatched today!!! I went out to check Smoke, my broody bantam this morning and raised her up and saw a broken shell and then found the new baby still wet. I had my camera right there with me and would you believe I was so excited I FORGOT to take any pictures!! I checked her again around lunch and nothing else is happening but this baby is dry and looking good! And I FORGOT to take pictures AGAIN!! I am going to check her in a few hours. Smoke is sitting on 4 more eggs. Today is day 21 but a couple eggs were added after the original set date. She kept adding eggs every time one was laid. Finally had to put her in a crate by herself so she'd quit adding eggs to her nest!

 

[Tripp16]

My first egg hatched today!!! I went out to check Smoke, my broody bantam this morning and raised her up and saw a broken shell and then found the new baby still wet. I had my camera right there with me and would you believe I was so excited I FORGOT to take any pictures!! I checked her again around lunch and nothing else is happening but this baby is dry and looking good! And I FORGOT to take pictures AGAIN!! I am going to check her in a few hours. Smoke is sitting on 4 more eggs. Today is day 21 but a couple eggs were added after the original set date. She kept adding eggs every time one was laid. Finally had to put her in a crate by herself so she'd quit adding eggs to her nest!

This gives me hope!! My girl is on day 20 and nothing has hatched, she has four eggs under her also! Maybe tomorrow!

 

[bobbieschicks]

Don't worry Scarlett - it's not too late, it's only Day 20. Hang in there - soon

This gives me hope!! My girl is on day 20 and nothing has hatched, she has four eggs under her also! Maybe tomorrow!

 

[JakRat]

My silkie wont stop pooping in her nest!!

We were away for a day and a half and not only did she poop in her nest twice BUT she also got poop on her face and head feathers, and a huge amount on one of her eggs... I didnt wash the egg because I was worried about the bloom coming off, but I did manage to pick most of it off.

Do I need to move her back in her cage more so that she has more room to get up and move???

I had to take her off her nest today because of this poo situation to clean her up a bit and get it out of the nest... she was none to happy.

 

[Miss Lydia]

Put down straw or shaving in the area where they like to lay but where it is safe from preds. My ducks doen't use nest boxes.

also should i build nest boxes for my ducks or will they lay and make their nests where they want to? should i put down straw?