Old Fashioned Broody Hen Hatch A Long and Informational Thread

[bobbieschicks]

So bummed right now - I know that chicken losses are a part of raising them - I just never get used to it.

I went to put everyone into the secure run so they could go into the coop at dark. Sunny, my 29 week old Lavender Orpington who laid the darkest egg came into the run like everyone else. Then she went under the coop and wouldn't come back out. I got the rake I use to motivate them and still she wouldn't move. So I raked her out. She was practically dead by that point. I got her out into the yard and rushed to the house to gather anything that might help. As I returned to her I saw that she was screeching on the ground and flopping in circles. She was dead by the time I got from the back door to her - it was just 50 feet away. There was no forewarning - no obvious trauma - no obvious injury. So I thanked her for her eggs and put her into a plastic bag until I can dispose of her properly tomorrow. This is the part of chicken raising I hate.

Rest in peace my sweet beautiful Sunny. I will miss your eggs - but I will miss you more.

 

[luvmyEs]

I thought I was done with this thread for awhile. It seems like my silkies have other plans! My white silkie tried taking the other white silkie's chick yesterday and today has decided to not leave the nest box. So if she is still like this in a couple days we will be giving her some EE eggs to sit. Why couldn't she have waited until I got my eggs from the May egg swap?!

 

[bobbieschicks]

No - she'll take care of it all. Just keep an eye out for babies! and post pics when you get a chance

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.

 

[bobbieschicks]

Just put her on falsies until then - golf ball, ceramic, plastic, pingpong ball - keep her well hydrated and well fed, then once the May swap eggs get here - move them under her.

I thought I was done with this thread for awhile. It seems like my silkies have other plans! My white silkie tried taking the other white silkie's chick yesterday and today has decided to not leave the nest box. So if she is still like this in a couple days we will be giving her some EE eggs to sit. Why couldn't she have waited until I got my eggs from the May egg swap?!

 

[featherz]

My two broodies are still sharing chicks! Finally managed to get a count - there are 13 chicks, which means between the two of them they only hatched 6 by themselves (then I added seven from the incubator). They are bundling up each evening in adjoining nest boxes and the chicks just pick a hen and dive in. As far as I can tell, the chicks will go to either one although the two NN chicks seem to prefer the NN mom.

 

[luvmyEs]

Just put her on falsies until then - golf ball, ceramic, plastic, pingpong ball - keep her well hydrated and well fed, then once the May swap eggs get here - move them under her.

It could be 2 weeks until I get them. Would she sit for those 2 weeks plus the 3 weeks to hatch??

 

[bobbieschicks]

It could be 2 weeks until I get them. Would she sit for those 2 weeks plus the 3 weeks to hatch??

Most likely. She will sit until she hatches something or gets some chicks. My Smokey sat a week extra. Others have had them go lots longer.

 

[bobbieschicks]

So bummed right now - I know that chicken losses are a part of raising them - I just never get used to it. 

I went to put everyone into the secure run so they could go into the coop at dark.  Sunny, my 29 week old Lavender Orpington who laid the darkest egg came into the run like everyone else.  Then she went under the coop and wouldn't come back out.  I got the rake I use to motivate them and still she wouldn't move.  So I raked her out.  She was practically dead by that point.  I got her out into the yard and rushed to the house to gather anything that might help.  As I returned to her I saw that she was screeching on the ground and flopping in circles.  She was dead by the time I got from the back door to her - it was just 50 feet away.   There was no forewarning - no obvious trauma - no obvious injury.  So I thanked her for her eggs and put her into a plastic bag until I can dispose of her properly tomorrow.  This is the part of chicken raising I hate.

Rest in peace my sweet beautiful Sunny.  I will miss your eggs - but I will miss you more.

Even my DH, who says "we have too many chickens" every time I get hatching eggs, was visibly upset. He said, "Not Sunny. Our best egg layer!"

 

[Miss Lydia]

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.

She'll do her own lock down you need do nothing. Congrats and don't forget to let us know everything including pics...

 

[CALI CHICK]

Even my DH, who says "we have too many chickens" every time I get hatching eggs, was visibly upset. He said, "Not Sunny. Our best egg layer!"

I'm so sorry to hear about Sunny, bobbieschicks. Sunny is just a lovely girl (besides the nice eggs) and just over a year old?

That really bums me out too...I don't handle pets dying well. (mine or others)

Do you have any idea what was wrong with her, yet? Keep us posted.