Old Fashioned Broody Hen Hatch A Long and Informational Thread

[Fuffy]

Candled Issabelles eggs this morning and they were both duds.

So she is starting over with 2 and seems fine with it. Having 2 roosters How in the world were neither of those eggs fertile.

Oh no! That's such a shame!!!

Hope she does better this time!

 

[Fuffy]

Today should be hatch day.

Nothing is happening in the 'bator.

Went to collect the fresh eggs from under Helen. One of the marans was covered in some kind of liquid. It was melly, but not foul-smelling. Could it be there is a chickie in there trying to get out?!

Obviously I left her alone. I haven't seen her come out to eat today, either, and she was certainly more grumpy than usual!

 

[bobbieschicks]

Today should be hatch day.

Nothing is happening in the 'bator.

Went to collect the fresh eggs from under Helen. One of the marans was covered in some kind of liquid. It was melly, but not foul-smelling. Could it be there is a chickie in there trying to get out?!

Obviously I left her alone. I haven't seen her come out to eat today, either, and she was certainly more grumpy than usual!

   

If it had a pip (small hole) then I would say leave it. But if there's no pip and it smells I would remove it right away as it is bad.

Remember that hatch day can be later then expected. Hoping you get some little peeps soon!

 

[bayvistafarm]

I think my silkie may be contemplating motherhood. She is making clucking sounds when she walks like my broodies do.

Mom looks tired lol

dad's turn to babysit

AWESOME! They look like some happy birds!!

 

[CALI CHICK]

Today is Day 20 for our broody Buffy. I put her outside in the tractor last night and made sure she ate, drank and pooped. (She won't eat/drink/poop on her own within her seperated area and tends to get diarhea on the pine shavings.) I wanted her to be refreshed and have energy for hatchday. I don't plan on taking her out again until after hatching is over.

While she was taking care of herself yesterday, I confess that I candled her 5 eggs again.

The aircells looked great. I could see a little veining still on the inside of the shell. And, the eggs were dark with very subtle movements.

I have some questions since this is the first time I've had a broody hen. Thank you, Everyone in advance.

-Will the eggs hatch on Day 21, just like in the incubator?
-Will the hen instinctively be a good mother to the chicks...or is this different with each hen?
-Can the hen eat medicated chick starter along with the chicks? and
-When the hen takes her chicks out to free-range, will she protect them from the other chickens or will I need to keep the all seperate? The other hens would peck Buffy in the neck when they saw her, so I've kept her seperate. It's like they just don't "get" this broodyness and want her to act "normal". But, I'm worried that the other hens will hurt her babies. They pace around my tractors that have the young chickens in them, like sharks!

 

[bobbieschicks]

Today is Day 20 for our broody Buffy.  I put her outside in the tractor last night and made sure she ate, drank and pooped.  (She won't eat/drink/poop on her own within her seperated area and tends to get diarhea on the pine shavings.)  I wanted her to be refreshed and have energy for hatchday.  I don't plan on taking her out again until after hatching is over.   While she was taking care of herself yesterday, I confess that I candled her 5 eggs again.  The aircells looked great.  I could see a little veining still on the inside of the shell.  And, the eggs were dark with very subtle movements.

I have some questions since this is the first time I've had a broody hen.  Thank you, Everyone in advance.

-Will the eggs hatch on Day 21, just like in the incubator?
-Will the hen instinctively be a good mother to the chicks...or is this different with each hen?
-Can the hen eat medicated chick starter along with the chicks?   and
-When the hen takes her chicks out to free-range, will she protect them from the other chickens or will I need to keep the all seperate?  The other hens would peck Buffy in the neck when they saw her, so I've kept her seperate.  It's like they just don't "get" this broodyness and want her to act "normal".  But, I'm worried that the other hens will hurt her babies.  They pace around my tractors that have the young chickens in them, like sharks! 

Usually 19 tob 25 days for hatching with a broody
She will protect her chicks until she feels she's done, usually 5 weeks
Feed her chick food or something chicks eat
She will fight with the others to protect the chicks

Each hen is different so supervise her at first to see what happens.
Post pics after they hatch!

 

[RollinWithTheStones]

Mystery solved, Noira was eating her eggs Caught her with one today. I took her eggs away and gave them to Sunshine. Once Sunshine's hatches I'll give the remainder of the eggs back to Noira to see if she can finish the job.

 

[Farmin Momma]

We tried to move the hen, but it just freaked her out and she ate all he eggs.

Oh no, that sucks. Very sorry to hear that. When did you try moving her day or night?

 

[Miss Lydia]

Mystery solved, Noira was eating her eggs Caught her with one today. I took her eggs away and gave them to Sunshine. Once Sunshine's hatches I'll give the remainder of the eggs back to Noira to see if she can finish the job.

Sorry to hear that, thank goodness you had another broody to give her remaining eggs to.

 

[Nigellas]

Does one need to worry about "lock down" with a broody? The eggs are due to hatch tomorrow (I have a pip and a crack) but today mama was off the eggs for a few minutes to get a snack and stretch her legs.