Old Fashioned Broody Hen Hatch A Long and Informational Thread

[Tripp16]

Just went out to put a board across to block off the chicks from escaping until we can sort out something permanent and found we now have 5 chicks at least. There was a bit of a clamor when I brought the board into the coop and the chicks all ran out to see what the fuss was. I'm glad to see we have more than one chick left and the broodies are still sitting on more.

Scarlett456 I'm so sorry about your chick. We've lost 3 now and I didn't think it would bother me as much as it does. I guess I'm not a thick skinned farmer yet.

Im not a thick skinned farmer and I dont think I ever will be! It was terrible but I need to be like Gracie she just went on with life and didnt mope around she took the other chicks and was strong for them and acted like nothing ever happened. There is a good thing thats come out of all this since Gracie is a bantam and the chicks are standard she will be able to cover the two alot easier than all 3.

Its still sad though.

 

[bobbieschicks]

Let's hope you never become a thick skinned farmer. The loss of a life should always make a difference - even if it's "only" a chicken. I give thanks for all my chickens and miss them when they're gone. Loosing 3 is a big loss no matter how you look at it.

Just went out to put a board across to block off the chicks from escaping until we can sort out something permanent and found we now have 5 chicks at least. There was a bit of a clamor when I brought the board into the coop and the chicks all ran out to see what the fuss was. I'm glad to see we have more than one chick left and the broodies are still sitting on more.

Scarlett456 I'm so sorry about your chick. We've lost 3 now and I didn't think it would bother me as much as it does. I guess I'm not a thick skinned farmer yet.

 

[countrybuffs]

Sad day today. My little Gracie lost one of her chicks. I was headed out of the coop and my coop has a heavy door on it which closes hard. She always runs up to the door when it opens and of course the chicks follow well needless to say the silkies were being stupid and trying to get out after I got them all pushed back I didnt look around for chicks so the door closed and I wont go into detail but the chick died a few seconds later.

Im still sick to my stomach. Momma seems ok she still has her two but its still really sad!

I hope you guys will post some pictures to brighten my day a little.

This same thing happened to me once when I had baby rabbits! So sad, poor little thing.

 

[countrybuffs]

I guess my broody hen must be pretty calm. Last year when she was broody, she had a couple of rocks she was trying to hatch, I couldn't get her to give up for anything! I finally went to the feed store and got her 2 chicks, she was so happy, I have never seen a chicken with such an expressive look! This year she went broody again, and it was a week till the chicks I wanted came to the store. I just moved her, with no eggs, to the nest I wanted her to use, and she sat there and waited for a week till I got her chicks! She never pecks my hand, but she sure does peck the other hens if they get over in her side of the house!

 

[Miss Lydia]

Thanks Miss Lydia for the info. I kind of feel like nature will take its course since nature has been doing this for far longer than I have. So I'm just trying to accommodate my hens the best way I can. The hen boxes are in sort of a 'second floor' of the overall coop. We used the Garden Coop plans so Im afraid I will have to get something closer to the ground for the first few weeks of the chicks lives. Im hoping mama will let me move her chicks a few days after they hatch.

Here is the coop they are both sitting in now:
http://simplelifeainteasy.blogspot.com/2011/05/best-chicken-coop-ever.html
The hen boxes are tucked in really nice and they are safe. The rooster doesnt go into the actual hen house much so I think they like how quiet it is in there. I have food and water hanging within a few feet from them, so this all seems ideal until the chicks are hatched.

Heres our 'pallet coop' thats currently empty and Im hoping to move all new chicks and the 2 mamas into once hatched.
http://simplelifeainteasy.blogspot.com/2011/09/pallet-coop.html
I hope the move goes smoothly and the mommas dont get in each others way.

Im so dang excited you can bet ill have pics as soon as one pops its little head.

That is an awesome coop, and i think mama and chicks will love it. Keep us posted!!

 

[Miss Lydia]

Looks like I have my first Broody hen,

my lil black cochin mix. She has not come off her nest all day. I set a just laied egg next to her and with in seconds she scooted it right under her. So I decided to test her by giving her a few eggs that I was willing to sacrifice to find ou tif she truly is ready. I marked the 2 that she already had and gave her 3 more that are marked. She makes a really funny noise when I come into the coop, she does not peck at me when I reach under her mut she does not seem happy when I do. I also caught her moving the eggs around and moving the straw around ontop of herself. She is so adorible! I hope this works sence my first try on hatching in an incubator did not work at all. Got my fingers crossed!

Sounds promising, keep us updated..

 

[artsyrobin]

Boy did i figure wrong! i thought the chicks were due friday.... went to check mama and someone is peeping!!little bantam faverolles!!

 

[Miss Lydia]

Boy did i figure wrong! i thought the chicks were due friday.... went to check mama and someone is peeping!!little bantam faverolles!!

Well Congrats to you!! where are the pics?

we don't like to waste time around here.

I had some hatch 2 days early you have them hatching 3 days early..

 

[Tripp16]

I guess my broody hen must be pretty calm. Last year when she was broody, she had a couple of rocks she was trying to hatch, I couldn't get her to give up for anything! I finally went to the feed store and got her 2 chicks, she was so happy, I have never seen a chicken with such an expressive look! This year she went broody again, and it was a week till the chicks I wanted came to the store. I just moved her, with no eggs, to the nest I wanted her to use, and she sat there and waited for a week till I got her chicks! She never pecks my hand, but she sure does peck the other hens if they get over in her side of the house!

Wow you have one dedicated momma! Lol My RIR sits on her nest and is MEAN as a snake! Then hours later she jumps off and is fine! Wish she would just commit already!!

 

[Miss Lydia]

Wow you have one dedicated momma! Lol My RIR sits on her nest and is MEAN as a snake! Then hours later she jumps off and is fine! Wish she would just commit already!!

She thinking about!