Old Fashioned Broody Hen Hatch A Long and Informational Thread

[bobbieschicks]

Congrats on the broody. I don't know about the storing of eggs. I've only had two broodys and both have shipped eggs for their clutches. But don't wash the eggs - I do know that it's not good for them because it takes off the protective bloom. You can put false eggs under her for now - golf balls, ping pong balls, ceramic eggs, plastic eggs - and then switch them out for the real deal when you're ready to have her hatch them. She'll sit a little past the 21 days for a clutch - my Smokey went an extra week - but you should try to gather the eggs and get them under her soon. And post pics when they hatch!

I have a broody rhode island white hen who has been persistent for a few days now, I think she is going to stick with it. My dad is building me a mobile broody apartment on an unused equipment trailer that hopefully will be ready this weekend for her. This will be setup so that she and the chicks can stay there until they are ready to join the larger flock.
How do you go about collecting and storing eggs for a broody? How long can I store them before putting hem under her? At what temp? Should I wash them first? I have a roo, so plenty of fertilized eggs, but I'll need a few days worth from my black copper marans, with a few barnyard mixes added for fun.
How quickly do I need to get eggs under her now that I'm sure she's broody? I'm guessing it would be better to set her on the eggs in the new coop, rather than giving them to her now and moving her and the eggs later?
I've never hatched before, with a broody or an incubator, so I'm worried about messing it up.
Thanks!

 

[Farmin Momma]

I am very jelliouse of everyone who has more than one broody. I had been given 5 hens, the day before my momma went broody, and was told that the Jersy Giant in that groop was very broody. I figured after she settled in she would go for it here too....... well she looks like she wants to lay again, her comb has brightened up but not sure if she has actually laid yet. I hope she gose broody very soon, or that at least one of my girls will.

 

[bobbieschicks]

Went to see how Issabelle was doing this afternoon, well she is sitting tight, listened and looked at each egg no sounds or pips yet. Tomorrow is suppose to be hatch day. So far she has really been a stinker, watch her hatch a week late just to keep me in suspense.

Awh. Hope you wake up to pips and peeps

 

[bobbieschicks]

I am very jelliouse of everyone who has more than one broody. I had been given 5 hens, the day before my momma went broody, and was told that the Jersy Giant in that groop was very broody. I figured after she settled in she would go for it here too....... well she looks like she wants to lay again, her comb has brightened up but not sure if she has actually laid yet. I hope she gose broody very soon, or that at least one of my girls will.

Boy! A jersey giant broody! You could probably fit 50 eggs under one of those! Lol. Hope she goes broody for you soon.

 

[Tripp16]

Went to see how Issabelle was doing this afternoon, well she is sitting tight, listened and looked at each egg no sounds or pips yet. Tomorrow is suppose to be hatch day. So far she has really been a stinker, watch her hatch a week late just to keep me in suspense

Oh no that will my hen! With my luck her getting off with her once a day gallavanting we will be lucky to get any chicks!

 

[Tripp16]

Oh no that will my hen! With my luck her getting off with her once a day gallavanting we will be lucky to get any chicks!

Oh and dont forget! Remember when Gracie hatched hers? They waited up until day 21 to hatch! You have been spoiled with the early hatches!

 

[bobbieschicks]

Quote:
Oh and dont forget! Remember when Gracie hatched hers? They waited up until day 21 to hatch! You have been spoiled with the early hatches!

xs2!

 

[stonykill]

Got home from work today and not only was all well, the two hens were out of the nest boxes and camped out next to each other on the coop floor, chicks under each of them. Not only that, the chicks were all clustered around and were using the nipple waterer I set down low to the floor - awesome! The mommas are almost the same color, still wondering how they figure out which mama to dive under.

Bad news, another NN is now camped out in the nest box looking like she wants to go broody. I'm kicking her out tonight - I don't need more chicks!!

that is all GOOD news

 

[stonykill]

I have a broody rhode island white hen who has been persistent for a few days now, I think she is going to stick with it. My dad is building me a mobile broody apartment on an unused equipment trailer that hopefully will be ready this weekend for her. This will be setup so that she and the chicks can stay there until they are ready to join the larger flock.
How do you go about collecting and storing eggs for a broody? How long can I store them before putting hem under her? At what temp? Should I wash them first? I have a roo, so plenty of fertilized eggs, but I'll need a few days worth from my black copper marans, with a few barnyard mixes added for fun.
How quickly do I need to get eggs under her now that I'm sure she's broody? I'm guessing it would be better to set her on the eggs in the new coop, rather than giving them to her now and moving her and the eggs later?
I've never hatched before, with a broody or an incubator, so I'm worried about messing it up.
Thanks!

ideally save them for 7 days or less. 10 days is ok, but 7 is better. Store them in an open egg carton, big end up. Cooler temps are better than warmer, but not in the fridge. So if you have a closed off room that stays cooler that is great. But i've also stored them right in the kitchen with good results. Make sure they are clean. Naturally clean. Do not wash them. A little dirt is ok. Once you see how dirty a broody will get her eggs throughout the 21 days and they still hatch you will understand.
Yes, if she accepts the new coop and stays broody, then give her the eggs. That is best.
Do NOT wash them. Naturally clean eggs.
Any moe questions ask away

 

[Miss Lydia]

Got home from work today and not only was all well, the two hens were out of the nest boxes and camped out next to each other on the coop floor, chicks under each of them. Not only that, the chicks were all clustered around and were using the nipple waterer I set down low to the floor - awesome! The mommas are almost the same color, still wondering how they figure out which mama to dive under.

Bad news, another NN is now camped out in the nest box looking like she wants to go broody. I'm kicking her out tonight - I don't need more chicks!!

Sounds like they have worked it out, Congrats!! and pics please..

No pressure at all