Old Fashioned Broody Hen Hatch A Long and Informational Thread

[karlamaria]

I would like to know if this is a unique situation or what? I hve a really nice Buff Orp hen who is raising 5 black Austrlorps and 1 unknown bantam, they are about 5 weeks old and she is nowhere near done taking care of them. I recently got a black Bantam Faverolles rooster who is older than the chicks, but is not crowing yet. During the day, the hen makes the young rooster keep a distance away, but at bedtime she allows him in the nest with her chicks! Has anyone heard of this before? Here is a picture of them during the day.

It may be she is ok with him as one of her babies at night, sort of a come on its ok we can sleep together". ? She knows he's a rooster but allows him comfort at night as a young bird like her astrolorps.

 

[Long Last Farm]

Ok, I have one broody who has been very devoted to caring for the eggs. I gave her some fertile ones to add to hers, and she has done very well. The only problem is she is setting in a nest box that is about 4 feet off the ground. It is day 18 for some of her eggs, so I tried to move her to a lower nest. She was definitely not interetsed--after about 15 minutes of wandering aound the coop ( at least she had something to eat and drink, and she pooped), she got back on the EMPTY high nest! I grudgingly put the eggs back under her before they got cold.

My question is: Do you think if I wait until one or two of the chicks hatch, I can move them, and the still-to-be-hatched eggs to the safer nest, and she will not abandon them? I thought maybe with the peeping of the chicks, she would stay with them. Worst case scenario, I am incubating several eggs, and have the brooder set up for them, But I would love to have her raise her chicks after she has been so determined!!
Any suggestions?

 

[bobbieschicks]

Ok, I have one broody who has been very devoted to caring for the eggs. I gave her some fertile ones to add to hers, and she has done very well. The only problem is she is setting in a nest box that is about 4 feet off the ground. It is day 18 for some of her eggs, so I tried to move her to a lower nest. She was definitely not interetsed--after about 15 minutes of wandering aound the coop ( at least she had something to eat and drink, and she pooped), she got back on the EMPTY high nest! I grudgingly put the eggs back under her before they got cold.

My question is: Do you think if I wait until one or two of the chicks hatch, I can move them, and the still-to-be-hatched eggs to the safer nest, and she will not abandon them? I thought maybe with the peeping of the chicks, she would stay with them. Worst case scenario, I am incubating several eggs, and have the brooder set up for them, But I would love to have her raise her chicks after she has been so determined!!
Any suggestions?

Yeah congrats on the broody! Try moving her and the eggs at night. Then maybe block her in with wire for the day. See if that works. 4' seems pretty high off the ground for a nest box. What is she nesting inside?

 

[yasmin]

the eggs were not clear, in fact there was a big black spot in each one,does this mean there ok? Today was day 7 and all eggs had a large dark spot, and a large air sack on the ends. You now give me hope! Thank you so much.

i have 4 buff orps in the incubator and as its my first time too i didnt know what to do or who to ask so i joined in here and it put my mind at ease. I didnt know what to look for when candeling and loads of people gave me their views, today is my day 9 and I can see a dark spot and some spidery veins and you can see the spot moving around. I have even got an egg with twins and I was really worried. So dont worry too much and good luck.

 

[featherz]

My two broodies are doing well.. it's going to be hot tomorrow, but thankfully they are in the coolest coop I have. I did see my 'broody in the woods' chicken today, so she is still alive. I tried to track back where her nest is but she managed to give me the slip. I have three other identical chickens, but figured out she was 'out and about' today because she was waddling around poofed up, squawking at everyone and clucking non stop (that broody cluck). Did a head count and sure enough, my prodigal hen was back and alive. so far. =(

 

[Long Last Farm]

Yeah congrats on the broody! Try moving her and the eggs at night. Then maybe block her in with wire for the day. See if that works. 4' seems pretty high off the ground for a nest box. What is she nesting inside?

Well, maybe it's only about 3 and 1/2 feet high.I have 2 rows of nest boxes, 3 on 3 , stacked. She is in our newer coop, with several other birds who have been together with her since thay all hatched. I had another broody ( one of the current broody's sisters)a nd right after her eggs hatched, I had to move Mooma and chicks to a totally different coop--with a Large rooster. It went very well. Broody was protective, and the others did not mess with her. My current broody has only 2 very small banty cochin roosters in with her, and about 10 adult hens. I think I will put this HUGE cage I have in the coop, and try moving her and rhe eggs in there tonight. Thanks for the advice!

 

[Blarneyeggs]

Been a long time since I was in here. Got a broody, and I was wondering if I could slip chicks as old as 2~3 weeks under her? I got them from the feed store on Easter and I think they were a week old then. Thanks ; )

 

[Miss Lydia]

Well, maybe it's only about 3 and 1/2 feet high.I have 2 rows of nest boxes, 3 on 3 , stacked. She is in our newer coop, with several other birds who have been together with her since thay all hatched. I had another broody ( one of the current broody's sisters)a nd right after her eggs hatched, I had to move Mooma and chicks to a totally different coop--with a Large rooster. It went very well. Broody was protective, and the others did not mess with her. My current broody has only 2 very small banty cochin roosters in with her, and about 10 adult hens. I think I will put this HUGE cage I have in the coop, and try moving her and rhe eggs in there tonight. Thanks for the advice!

that will be a good move. keep us updated.

 

[Miss Lydia]

Been a long time since I was in here. Got a broody, and I was wondering if I could slip chicks as old as 2~3 weeks under her? I got them from the feed store on Easter and I think they were a week old then. Thanks ; )

Thats a might old to put with a broody, they may not even take to her. Hopefully someone who has tried and succeeded will be here to weigh in soon.

 

[This_chicks_place]

You can always tack up some wire over the entry the night they are due to hatch if you're worried about them falling out. She will teach them how to fly down out of the nest area within a few days of being born. it's really cool to watch all she will do for them.

Thank You for the advice! I think we might just put some net over the bottom edge of the box when hatching starts, then take it down after a day or so and let her do her thing with the chicks. I am so excited, the days are not going by fast enough! I will post pics when the time comes. She is a Lavender Orp and she is hatching some rumpless araucanas. I really want some blue eggs!