Old Fashioned Broody Hen Hatch A Long and Informational Thread

[artsyrobin]

we had an Easter Hatch!
http://s119.photobucket.com/albums/o155/rgortonart/2012 chickens/?action=view&current=favbabies.mp4

 

[jgervais]

I have 5 nest boxes, and 2 occupied with broody hens.
I went to collect eggs yesterday morning from the 'vacant' 3 boxes and there was a chicken laying her egg in one, so I left her alone with plans to collect later.

I went back later in the evening and one of the broody hens moved from her pile of eggs that she has been sitting on for well over a week to the pile of 'fresh' eggs that I was going to collect. I shooed her out, collected the eggs and she went right back to her pile.

I think her eggs might have been left 'cold' for several hours during the day.... will they still hatch?!

 

[Miss Lydia]

Precious Robin

we had an Easter Hatch!
http://s119.photobucket.com/albums/o155/rgortonart/2012 chickens/?action=view&current=favbabies.mp4

 

[Miss Lydia]

I have 5 nest boxes, and 2 occupied with broody hens.
I went to collect eggs yesterday morning from the 'vacant' 3 boxes and there was a chicken laying her egg in one, so I left her alone with plans to collect later.

I went back later in the evening and one of the broody hens moved from her pile of eggs that she has been sitting on for well over a week to the pile of 'fresh' eggs that I was going to collect. I shooed her out, collected the eggs and she went right back to her pile.

I think her eggs might have been left 'cold' for several hours during the day.... will they still hatch?!

Most likely, i think we all have had this experience, so don't give up on them. I think first time broodys have the problem more so than experienced broodys about getting confused.

 

[bobbieschicks]

we had an Easter Hatch!
http://s119.photobucket.com/albums/o155/rgortonart/2012 chickens/?action=view&current=favbabies.mp4

Adorable!

 

[artsyrobin]

so what do you do when a broody decides mama'ing is done and only had one chick??

 

[Miss Lydia]

so what do you do when a broody decides mama'ing is done and only had one chick??

What age is chick? other than lock them up together not much. I had one last year that only hatched 1 and she staid with that chick for 8 weeks, she is one of my best mamas and brooders.

 

[audrey02026]

so what do you do when a broody decides mama'ing is done and only had one chick??

I would not worry for a lone chick when it was hatched by a broody because she has momma. It's when you hatch one in an incubator that it's not ideal because the chick will be lonely. With Momma the chick should be just fine.

 

[audrey02026]

Well I have another batch of eggs ready for lockdown tonight...I actually have a batch every week this month. I found that my Cochin has gone broody so I gave her only two of my eggs that will be going into lockdown tonight...she's pretty small she is a Bantam Frizzle Cochin plus this is her first time and has only been broody two days. I could have given her eggs that will take a week or more to hatch day but I kinda fingure this way is she stays on the nest for three more days we should have babies. Should I have given her eggs that are not as developed yet? My Silkie that is same age as her sat for a week before I gave her eggs then another 3 weeks for hatch and even almost a week after tshe hatched a few until I finally took the eggs away.

 

[Atomic Ranch]

UPDATE: This is day 21 for one of the eggs-- the one that looks kind of funny. Not expecting anything. Also day 19/20 for the other egg, which when I candled last, looked great.

Problem is, the broody is getting restless. She laid an egg yesterday and went out and about in the run today. After a couple of minutes I put her back on the eggs and she is once again protectively growling if I get near.

Should I keep her in there just a couple ore days? Or take the eggs and incubate?