Old Fashioned Broody Hen Hatch A Long and Informational Thread

[Tripp16]

We have a chick!!! Finally!!!! I came back from finding things to do in town and there was yellow fluffy chick right underneath her almost fluffed out! 3 more to go!!!

 

[Miss Lydia]

She is in a huge blue crate that I open for her to use the bathroom once a day right now. No way could it have been knocked out. We checked her all over, checked the shavings and NOTHING. I am really grossed out. That was a fully developed baby (it must have died, but she didn't eat the others she kicked out of the nest!)
It wasn't me that checked the nest (I'm at work). If you want something done right, do it yourself, right? I will check her over once I get home. I didn't think the baby would hatch, but to be eaten?! EW!

And the other chicks are in there with her, they all might have eaten it if it's gone. Chickesn will eat each other if given the chance. So sorry, but like you said maybe the person checking didn't look through all the bedding.

 

[Miss Lydia]

AND stony yippe for Mama, looking forward to seeing if you surpass the count from last year. I hope I don't 8 was enough, they seem to be starting out slower this year, but it's still early. I do have a broody duck though so i gave her my bantams eggs and gave my bantam chicekn eggs.

 

[bobbieschicks]

She is in a huge blue crate that I open for her to use the bathroom once a day right now. No way could it have been knocked out. We checked her all over, checked the shavings and NOTHING. I am really grossed out. That was a fully developed baby (it must have died, but she didn't eat the others she kicked out of the nest!)
It wasn't me that checked the nest (I'm at work). If you want something done right, do it yourself, right? I will check her over once I get home. I didn't think the baby would hatch, but to be eaten?! EW!

Oh I hope it's just hiding in there, but Ms Lydia is right. Chickens do eat eggs, meat and other dead chickens. So sorry

 

[bobbieschicks]

We have a chick!!! Finally!!!! I came back from finding things to do in town and there was yellow fluffy chick right underneath her almost fluffed out! 3 more to go!!!

Yeah! Take pics when you can!

 

[Tripp16]

Yeah! Take pics when you can!

I wish I had gotten pics but she was not happy about me looking under her so I didnt feel it was appropriate to take picture. Lol The little one is really tired so maybe tomorrow. :/

 

[bobbieschicks]

I wish I had gotten pics but she was not happy about me looking under her so I didnt feel it was appropriate to take picture. Lol The little one is really tired so maybe tomorrow. :/

I'm so happy for you! I know the disappointment of a failed hatch. Poor Smokey's eggs didn't hatch. That's why she got to hatch out her three adopted sons. Lol!

 

[Tripp16]

Thanks! I am so excited for her! She is being a good momma so far. I just found the shell the little one came out of and it was not the one that had pipped earlier. It was another lighter shell. The other one is still pipped and working on it, or at least it was about and hour ago. Do you guys think he will be ok? I dont like interfering and was planning to just let what hatch, hatch. He was still moving his little beak last time I looked.

What do you guys think?

 

[Morganwood]

I can hear chirping! I THINK I see a dead chick in the back of the nest. My question is...with 7 broodies all sitting together do I need to worry about chicks getting smothered? I can't get in to she how many or where the other chicks are until hubby gets back. It's a 2 man operation when you have a 3yr old following you around...lol. Any advice would be great. Not sure if we should keep them out there or bring them inside.

 

[melodynye]

This is the only brooding method we use here at www.melofarms.com. Now that said - it is a freebie Silkie the does the hatching. As soon as I see her 'sit' I go out throughout the day and collect warm eggs and slide them under her. 21 days later we have new Melo Farms Light Brahma chicks :>)