Old Fashioned Broody Hen Hatch A Long and Informational Thread

[fisherlady]

Our broody hen gets off of the nest every day, and some days she is off 2 or 3 times.... she doesn't stay off long and goes back as soon as she's done her business...
when she is out she does what we call her 'speed scratching' looking for her grains and usually makes 'chook, chook, pook, pook' noises the whole time as if she is already talking to chicks or showing them how to scratch.
When she gets off the nest, how long does your hen stay out? Is she trying to roost with the other hens at night? I wouldn't worry about a few 10 minute trips out and about... if she is trying to roost with the others at night then that would be different.

 

[Chickinn]

Day 21 and absolutely nothing happening with the eggs!

 

[Chick_In_The_Burbs]

Day 21 and absolutely nothing happening with the eggs!  

Deep breaths.... Eggs can take up to 25 days to hatch. Not the norm, but it can happen.

 

[Chickinn]

Thank you! I'm trying not to think about it and just let mom do her job but I can't help but run out there and look at her once or twice a day. I've vowed not to look under her for at least 24 hours. I am hoping I will see chicks running around down there by Wednesday!

 

[Miss Lydia]

Thank you! I'm trying not to think about it and just let mom do her job but I can't help but run out there and look at her once or twice a day. I've vowed not to look under her for at least 24 hours. I am hoping I will see chicks running around down there by Wednesday!

 

[farmerfogg]

Day 21 and absolutely nothing happening with the eggs!  

Mother Nature has a way of working these things out. I'm sure you'll soon be doing the happy chick dance and hopefully taking baby chick pictures.

 

[Miss Lydia]

Thank you! I'm trying not to think about it and just let mom do her job but I can't help but run out there and look at her once or twice a day. I've vowed not to look under her for at least 24 hours. I am hoping I will see chicks running around down there by Wednesday!

You can also candle and listen, if the chicks are getting ready to hatch sometimes you can here peeping.

 

[Chickinn]

I candled, my vow didn't last long, still see movement but didn't hear any peeping. I'm hoping in the next couple of days!

 

[Chick_In_The_Burbs]

I candled, my vow didn't last long, still see movement but didn't hear any peeping.  I'm hoping in the next couple of days!  

I know the feeling! I always end up candling more than I probably should. It happens. Just stay strong. Waiting is painful but unavoidable.

 

[farmer boy]

Our broody hen gets off of the nest every day, and some days she is off 2 or 3 times.... she doesn't stay off long and goes back as soon as she's done her business...
when she is out she does what we call her 'speed scratching' looking for her grains and usually makes 'chook, chook, pook, pook' noises the whole time as if she is already talking to chicks or showing them how to scratch.
When she gets off the nest, how long does your hen stay out? Is she trying to roost with the other hens at night? I wouldn't worry about a few 10 minute trips out and about... if she is trying to roost with the others at night then that would be different.

well when she was off all the younger roos were attacking her a lot and she was attacking them back so i put her back and i thought she was supposed to keep her broody spot the naked spot on her stomach .. i just didn't want her to get hurt or anything so i put her back all the birds were going at her because she is hidden away in a spot where the other birds can't see her and she is a bantam so she could get hurt by the bigger birds