Old Fashioned Broody Hen Hatch A Long and Informational Thread

[karlamaria]

Another egg is pipping, oh boy 2 made it so far ! I put five under her, this is so exciting! I took mama off the nest, or had my daughter do it since she had not left the nest in a few days, she pooped big time, and I put her right back on her chick and eggs . She was so thirsty and so hungry. She Ida super good mama ! Did you all see my baby I posted some posts back? She looks like some sort of barred rock mix. So pretty !

 

[bobbieschicks]

I reread what Beekissed suggests and it looks like I can take the towel off tomorrow evening. So just a day in darkness.

Here's the thread

https://www.backyardchickens.com/t/652758/need-advice-on-moving-broody-hen/10

Do you think that's too much? Should I go take off the towel so she wakes up in her new nest?

 

[bobbieschicks]

Ugh why does this have to be so complicated! I went out by moonlight and removed the towels. She's quiet in the dark. Hopefully she will take to the new nest and sit tight. She has food and water in there near her. So tomorrow I'll know if it worked.

 

[stonykill]

I reread what Beekissed suggests and it looks like I can take the towel off tomorrow evening. So just a day in darkness.
Here's the thread
https://www.backyardchickens.com/t/652758/need-advice-on-moving-broody-hen/10
Do you think that's too much? Should I go take off the towel so she wakes up in her new nest?

Beekissed knows what he is talking about.

 

[stonykill]

Ugh why does this have to be so complicated! I went out by moonlight and removed the towels. She's quiet in the dark. Hopefully she will take to the new nest and sit tight. She has food and water in there near her. So tomorrow I'll know if it worked.

I have read many of Beekissed posts and his advice is taken to heart by me. If it were me, I'd follow his advice to the letter. Next time i try to move a broody this is what I'll try. As I've only ever moved 1 sucessfully

 

[kraftyladies]

I am glad I found this thread!

I have my first broody hen and am really excited! I noticed her Monday, but took all the eggs out because sometimes some of the hens in that pen lay kind of late in the afternoon, so I just figured that was what it was. Well, Tuesday she was still there, had a cpl eggs under her, so I put the rest I gathered from that pen 4-5 under her as well. She has been in there since. I never saw her move, which I am sure she did...but anyway. Well today I left for about an hr and a half. She was in the next when I left. When I cam back I noticed that she was in the nest box over from it sitting on 2 eggs! The other eggs still felt warm. I took her off those 2 eggs, and put her back in the box that had her clutch of eggs she had been sitting on. Since they were still warm, do you think they are ok? I don't know how long is too long.... I try to keep the eggs picked up from all the boxes, I guess she got confused?

 

[featherz]

Pic to follow later, but little squashy (a favorelle) is doing wonderfully!! it's sitting up, eyes open and walking around in the incubator. Still a bit splay legged, but with the huge improvement since yesterday will wait to hobble. Waiting to see what else hatches - hopefully the little one will improve enough to be able to go under momma.

 

[Featherland26]

I've not done enough hatching to answer this question. Which method is better? Raising a broody with feathered legs in a completly comfined area with shavings or a coop in which she can go outside where the grass is long and wet and her feathered legs also get wet.

 

[bobbieschicks]

I am glad I found this thread!

I have my first broody hen and am really excited! I noticed her Monday, but took all the eggs out because sometimes some of the hens in that pen lay kind of late in the afternoon, so I just figured that was what it was. Well, Tuesday she was still there, had a cpl eggs under her, so I put the rest I gathered from that pen 4-5 under her as well. She has been in there since. I never saw her move, which I am sure she did...but anyway. Well today I left for about an hr and a half. She was in the next when I left. When I cam back I noticed that she was in the nest box over from it sitting on 2 eggs! The other eggs still felt warm. I took her off those 2 eggs, and put her back in the box that had her clutch of eggs she had been sitting on. Since they were still warm, do you think they are ok? I don't know how long is too long.... I try to keep the eggs picked up from all the boxes, I guess she got confused?

That happens sometimes. They will probably be fine. Congrats on the broody!

 

[featherz]

Here's squashy!! it will go back under momma today or tomorrow, I hope. Gotta go out and see if they squashed any others.