Old Fashioned Broody Hen Hatch A Long and Informational Thread

[bobbieschicks]

Okay the broody hen I told you guys about a few days ago has taken in one of my 2 month old chicks as her own, this won't effect her laying on eggs any will it? I'm not sure why or how this happened either, the chick hasn't ever had a momma hen to run with.

The chick sleeps in the nest and the momma just lets her. When the momma goes out to eat so does the chick, and the momma protects her from the other chickens.

Interesting. Well some broodies don't mind sharing the hatching job, so maybe that's her thoughts. As long as she doesn't leave her job of egg sitting, I guess it would be fine.

 

[6chick*start]

Hi. Your question and my answer are both on page 801.
But a quick answer is feed them chick or grow& start feed. It's okay for momma to eat too. Since she won't start laying again for weeks.
Let them out with momma on day 2 or 3 after they all hatch. She will take care of them. She will be ready to get out by then

Thank you and Miss Lydia too!
I will certainly be posting pictures ... surely some of the 19 will hatch. Pretty sure they were all fertilized.
No telling what I will get with such a mixed bag of breeds. This is a first for me.
Thanks again!

 

[chick123600]

The hen is only at day 7, she is still setting on them, but I think she might be getting up more often. Not sure about that though. She really likes that chick though it's really cute because they are both mixed breeds but have the same markings.

 

[Tripp16]

Hi! I now these type of questions may have already been asked and answered, but this thread is so long, I cant find it...anyway, I have 3 broody buff orpingtons--I have given them about 4-6 fertile eggs each to hatch.So far, so good after one week. They are all being very vigilant and good broodies. My questions: Can I keep the broody hens together after the eggs hatch? Will they all get along? Should I separate them from the non broody chickens? Also, all the hens are in nest boxes about 3-4 feet from the ground. Should I move them before the eggs hatch? I don't want the chicks to fall out of the nest boxes. Should I try boxes right on the ground? Thanks for any replies...... Pat

Ok Im going to answer the question that I have the most experience with. Which is to move? Or not to move?

I had a hen go broody with 8 eggs in her nest 4 feet off the ground. Had I known it wouldve been so complicated I wouldve moved her after I was sure she was serious. But we learn from mistakes. You can move yours or leave them. Just be ready when the chicks start hatching to be able to grab the first hatchers while the other hatch because the chicks may fall out. I had one hatch in 15 minutes and she still had 3 more eggs to go the chicks was diving in and out of mom and soon got bored with the nest so I had to stay and make sure it didnt fall out. But the chicks dont really like to leave mom much.

My hen had 4 eggs and 3 of them hatched then she was ready to leave so I picked her up and moved them into the hutch I had prepared for them. She didnt like that idea. She paced an paced and then frantically began making a nest. She soon calmed down but it freaked me out and her and the chicks.

Now that they are out with the flock she takes the 2 chicks (2 weeks old now) up to the nest they hatched in and sleep there every night. So Momma thinks that the nest she chose is best so she will constantly try to go back to the original nest.

My advice if it isnt to late. Move her but if it is you should be ok just be on standby. Oh and sorry for the LONG story I tend to ramble....

 

[artsyrobin]

another pic of my surprise chick- mama broody is a cochin, i gave her some bantam faverolle eggs, due to hatch Saturday, well, she snuck this one in- and the roo is a cochin, so i think he will be the different one...LOL!

 

[Miss Lydia]

another pic of my surprise chick- mama broody is a cochin, i gave her some bantam faverolle eggs, due to hatch Saturday, well, she snuck this one in- and the roo is a cochin, so i think he will be the different one...LOL!

I love the color it's going to be beautiful.

 

[posey]

I have a broody who sat dutifully on 10 hatching eggs that I purchased - 5 wheaten maran and 5 barnevelder. Yesterday was hatch day and it was a slow process. When I woke up this morning, I saw that only 5 eggs had hatched. Mama and the biddies were sitting off to the side and the unhatched eggs were cold and abandoned. I know they are fertile and they are heavy. Have I lost those chicks because she got off of the nest? Three of the Maran eggs did not hatch and those are the ones I wanted the most. Is there anything I can do, like put them in an incubator?

 

[artsyrobin]

I have a broody who sat dutifully on 10 hatching eggs that I purchased - 5 wheaten maran and 5 barnevelder. Yesterday was hatch day and it was a slow process. When I woke up this morning, I saw that only 5 eggs had hatched. Mama and the biddies were sitting off to the side and the unhatched eggs were cold and abandoned. I know they are fertile and they are heavy. Have I lost those chicks because she got off of the nest? Three of the Maran eggs did not hatch and those are the ones I wanted the most. Is there anything I can do, like put them in an incubator?

i'd go ahead and put them in the bator just in case-

 

[bobbieschicks]

So sorry. Candle them and if there's any activity - put them in the bator. You could also do a float test - although I'm not familar with it. Or if you're unsure just put them in the bator - either they'll hatch or they won't. She's done with them for whatever reason. Maybe they weren't going to hatch, but maybe she wants to attend to her chicks only. Don't know. But I would try by putting them in the bator for a couple more days to see what happens - and yes that may be the end of the hatchlings.

I have a broody who sat dutifully on 10 hatching eggs that I purchased - 5 wheaten maran and 5 barnevelder. Yesterday was hatch day and it was a slow process. When I woke up this morning, I saw that only 5 eggs had hatched. Mama and the biddies were sitting off to the side and the unhatched eggs were cold and abandoned. I know they are fertile and they are heavy. Have I lost those chicks because she got off of the nest? Three of the Maran eggs did not hatch and those are the ones I wanted the most. Is there anything I can do, like put them in an incubator?

 

[bobbieschicks]

SOOOOOOO cute!

another pic of my surprise chick- mama broody is a cochin, i gave her some bantam faverolle eggs, due to hatch Saturday, well, she snuck this one in- and the roo is a cochin, so i think he will be the different one...LOL!