Old Fashioned Broody Hen Hatch A Long and Informational Thread

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I love it when they do that.


bobbieschicks said:
Today is the 5 week birthday for Smokey's 3 babies. For about 2 weeks now she's been sleeping in the nest box with them tucked under her. I've noticed the babies messing around on the roosts during the day. And tonight she is on the roost for the first time with the three babies tucked under her for protection and warmth. It was so cute. I will try to get a pic tomorrow night if they do it again.
Click to expand...
 
Everyones chicks are looking great!! Bobbieschicks it seems like when my hen was going broody Smokey was hatching hers. Wow times flies huh? I would love to see pictures of them all grown up!
 
Atomic Ranch said:
I'M WORRIED!! When I went out to button up everything for the night, she was NOT sitting on them! She was sitting in the egg box next door. Maybe it was that it had grown dark and she didn't know which box to sit in? The two eggs were alive and kicking last night, so I know it wasn't a rejection. There were a couple new ones laid by others as well, so the pile was its usual size.

Not sure how long they weren't warm, but they had cooled to the touch. It's about 70 tonight. Are they goners?
hu.gif


I them back under her. She's sitting on them again now.

This would be day 13/14 I think.


Update: They're still moving around inside.
pop.gif
Do you think this is a fluke, or is she losing interest? I did buy a starter incubator just in case.
Click to expand...
I think all of us have had this happen, the hen will get kicked out so another can lay her egg she comes back and the hen is still there so she gets into another nest then forgets to go
back to her eggs. frustrating at it best. But I know the eggs here still hatched so just keep an eye out for it to happen again you may have to move her to a more out of the way spot.
 
I read the first 15 pages of this thread and decided to fast forward ...
I have 2 silkies brooding on 19 eggs in a separate nursery. They are both in the same dishpan. The eggs are 4 days worth of all my breeds.
First are due to hatch on Easter.

When/if they hatch do I give them JUST chick starter right away? I'm assuming I don't want medicated feed?

I will be able to open the nursery and let them out in the run with a screen separating them from the flock. When do I do this?
Thank you!

Pic of the nursery
http://a8.sphotos.ak.fbcdn.net/hpho...071245_100001011649454_980617_144442160_n.jpg
 
At first I put out Mannapro medicated chick starter when theyhatched until it was eaten up. However, I don't think they were the ones consuming it - it think my larger ones were hogging it down. I switched to Grow & Start once they were out in the grass with momma and the Mannapro was gone. They will eat some of it, but they forage more then they eat the provided food. I would let them out with the broody about day 3 after they all hatch.


6chick*start said:
I read the first 15 pages of this thread and decided to fast forward ...
I have 2 silkies brooding on 19 eggs in a separate nursery. They are both in the same dishpan. The eggs are 4 days worth of all my breeds.
First are due to hatch on Easter.

When/if they hatch do I give them JUST chick starter right away? I'm assuming I don't want medicated feed?

I will be able to open the nursery and let them out in the run with a screen separating them from the flock. When do I do this?
Thank you!

Pic of the nursery
http://a8.sphotos.ak.fbcdn.net/hpho...071245_100001011649454_980617_144442160_n.jpg
Click to expand...
 
Last edited:
For Scarlett :)

Here are the AM & Wellie Rooster #1 onthe far side of the garden fence - they were quick to rush off when I tried to take their pics.


Here is Wellie rooster #2 with momma Smokey
 

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