Old Fashioned Broody Hen Hatch A Long and Informational Thread

[CoopChick719]

It might not peep or move at this late stage of the game. Put it under her and the next time she leaves it will be the time to remove it. But do not open it, just dispose of it gently.

Thanks Bobbie! I did put it back under her. If she gets up tomorrow morning, I'll remove it.

 

[bobbieschicks]

                 
[COLOR=0000CD]                         2 pullets setting and hatching in one 4x8 coop?[/COLOR]

Hi,
 Thank you all so much for your help.      I am a warm weather hatcher. Unfortunately, Sussex start laying and hatching in late Jan. thru March. We are in frigid western PA. I have a foundation trio of Light Sussex. So, I had a carefully researched and thought out hatching schedule starting Feb. 1st and running thru April 10th. The girls decided to go broody the last week of Jan. First one, then both. Just determined to brood!      The weather is foul here and they have been in their spacious coop 24/7 with lights on with their rooster. So I finally gave up my schedule and decided if they were so determined, to let them hatch out the eggs.     Then I am thinking I will take the peeps from them and brood them? Then will the girls start to lay again? I have never had broody hens hatch eggs before. Always used my Brinsea Mini-Advances.
 Suddenly, despite all my planning, I am in uncharted territory,     . I just never studied any of this because I already had a different plan. 
 Best,
 Karen

That's a broody for you, makes their own plan! I wouldn't take away the chicks. Let the mamas do all the work for you. The babies will be hardier and acclimated to the weather faster. You should only need a heat lamp of the weather drops below 20F. Otherwise they will all be fine without heat or light.

 

[3riverschick]

Hi there, We are also in Western Pa... and just had our hen hatch out 8 eggs (Jan 26th). We let her keep the chicks, so far they are going strong and having a good time learning how to be little chickens. If you give them some deep bedding to nest in and your coop isn't drafty or damp they should do just fine. This afternoon I was out spending time in the coop with them, it was 30 degrees or so in the coop and they were running around like a bunch of hooligans.

Hi Fisherlady et al,
Thanks for all your help. We are outside Ligonier. Our big coop is a raised one. 4 ft. deep by 8 ft. by 4 ft. high with a peaked roof. I have 2 of the hanging 60 watt. light bulbs on 24/7 to keep roosters comb from frostbite. Hanging 3 lb. feeder and metal waterer on heated metal base. Do you think this set-up is big enough for the girls, their chicks and the rooster? We are building another coop this size this Spring and I had my hatching schedule set up so the girls and their chicks would each have their own coop. Now I don't know what to do. The other coop I have is a batchelor 7 1/2 sq. ft. w/enclosed run.
Best,
Karen

 

[fisherlady]

Hi Fisherlady et al,
Thanks for all your help. We are outside Ligonier. Our big coop is a raised one. 4 ft. deep by 8 ft. by 4 ft. high with a peaked roof. I have 2 of the hanging 60 watt. light bulbs on 24/7 to keep roosters comb from frostbite. Hanging 3 lb. feeder and metal waterer on heated metal base. Do you think this set-up is big enough for the girls, their chicks and the rooster? We are building another coop this size this Spring and I had my hatching schedule set up so the girls and their chicks would each have their own coop. Now I don't know what to do. The other coop I have is a batchelor 7 1/2 sq. ft. w/enclosed run.
Best,
Karen

I would say you should be fine, as long as the chickens get along normally. We had to give our broody a corner to herself because one of the other hens was constantly harassing her, otherwise we'd wouldn't have seperated them. They definitely are good for sitting time if they get along... once they hatch just check in on how they are doing, but they should be fine. You'll be amazed at how good a job the hens can do making sure their little ones are taken care of!

Depending on how many eggs your hens hatch out you should be good till they are at least 4 to 6 wks or so for room in your coop. Your coop should house up to 8 adults pretty well, so other than cleaning a bit more often you should be fine till spring. So you should have time when the weather improves to figure your new pen plans out.

 

[3riverschick]

I would say you should be fine, as long as the chickens get along normally. We had to give our broody a corner to herself because one of the other hens was constantly harassing her, otherwise we'd wouldn't have seperated them. They definitely are good for sitting time if they get along... once they hatch just check in on how they are doing, but they should be fine. You'll be amazed at how good a job the hens can do making sure their little ones are taken care of!

Depending on how many eggs your hens hatch out you should be good till they are at least 4 to 6 wks or so for room in your coop. Your coop should house up to 8 adults pretty well, so other than cleaning a bit more often you should be fine till spring. So you should have time when the weather improves to figure your new pen plans out.

Hi Fisherlady,
Thanks! I have hardwood pine shavings from Tractor Supply floring the coop now. Do I need to change anything for when the chicks hatch? Should I clean the coop and change the shavings for something else or just before they hatch? should I set aoisde one corner of the coop with some hardwarecloth for them to walk on? How do I set up the feeding./watering system?
Thanks,
Karen

 

[Destinysma]

Need some input please?

My hen hatched 5 chicks this past weekend. Some of the eggs did not hatch and I would really like to get some more day old chicks. By the time I am able to get more chicks, the ones she hatched will be over a week old. Is there any chance she will accept the new chicks?? Or will I have to find a place to set up another brooder? I really want her to raise them if at all possible, and so far she has been an awesome mama.

Can anyone advise?

Thank you!

Destinysma

 

[LolaBlue]

Promise this is the last pic!!!!

 

[farmerfogg]

Just had to post some cuteness!

<3 Could they be any more precious? <3

 

[farmerfogg]

And here's mom w/some Pretty big 5 week olds under there!

How sweet! They all look very healthy and happy

 

[farmerfogg]

Promise this is the last pic!!!!

Look at those cute Chickie babies! I could never get tired of seeing these pictures!