Old Fashioned Broody Hen Hatch A Long and Informational Thread

[3riverschick]

It sounds like you only have 3 chickens total in the coop? The two hens and 1 roo? If that is the case, then most likely it is that the second hen is being a good friend/offering support or being co-broody with the first hen. With both of them warm and comfy in the nest box your roo got lonely and/or cold being on the roost by himself so he joined them. They are VERY social and it doesn't surprise me at all that he doesn't want to roost alone.
If they are all getting along you may need to rethink your nest area choice and try making a larger nest area for them, if you aren't going to keep him away from the nest, and the hens don't run him off either, then giving space to reduce overcrowding may help prevent eggs from getting crushed in the 'jockeying for position' that tends to happen.
I don't have any first hand experience with roosters trying to sit in the nest with a broody hen, but flock dynamics are unique to each group....
The feathers may be from the hens plucking their 'broody patch', check and see if they have naked bellies.

I am so ignorant about hens hatching eggs, sigh. I didn't know they had a bare belly. Well, I have enough room that I could put a 3-5 gallon tub in the other end of the coop for the girl who nested later of the 2. Yes, only a trio in the coop. That would make both the tub and the nest-box big enough for 2 birds if the roo wanted to pass himself around.
Do you think if I give the other pullet her own tub, I can get her to stay in it? Should I make it at the other end of the coop? Or close as I can get to her 1/2 sister?
Thanks,
Karen

 

[luvmychicken]

Day 8. YAAAA. Was gonna candle last night but I was tired when I got home at 930. So maybe tonight

 

[delisha]

I had a roo who sat the nest while the hen took a break..I would not worry to much. Roo's understand egg setting as much as the hens do. Some roos will even make a nest for a young pullet to encourage nesting. I think you should take pictures and document this wonderful event. It is rare and precious when you have your whole coop cooperating to raise a brood of chicks. In 35 years I have had it once with chickens..many times with ducks.

 

[CamiLynn]

A baby arrived!! I did a sneak peek before I left for work and when I opened her box I heard the chick peeping away. Lifted her and there was a little fluffy baby! Now hoping the others join the baby soon!! I'll post pics later this evening when I get home...unless I start feeling **cough...cough** sick and need to leave work early ;-)

 

[lindsay297]

So all are here safe and sound......Wondering when to open the doors on the carriers and let things take there course!!

I have had the broodys in the coop all through and the other girls when I have let them out have seemed fine.


They were all hatched the 6th/7th and have been eating and drinking with mommas already. Dont want to rush things and can easily leave them a bit but, dont want to put it off too long either!!

 

[bobbieschicks]

So all are here safe and sound......Wondering when to open the doors on the carriers and let things take there course!! I have had the broodys in the coop all through and the other girls when I have let them out have seemed fine. They were all hatched the 6th/7th and have been eating and drinking with mommas already. Dont want to rush things and can easily leave them a bit but, dont want to put it off too long either!!

My broodies usually want to take out their chicks by the third day.

 

[bobbieschicks]

Hey Johnn I caught Vanilla Ice sitting in the nest box today. She was warming a ping pong ball lol

 

[chicksolot]

I just started getting eggs can I check (candle) them right when they are laid or do I wait a few days to see if they are fertilized?

 

[bobbieschicks]

I just started getting eggs can I check (candle) them right when they are laid or do I wait a few days to see if they are fertilized?

I'm not sure I understand your question. The eggs will be fertile if your rooster has been mating the hens. It's usually good to give the girl some time to lay her eggs after she starts laying before trying to hatch them. But doesn't always have to be the case. My Topsy hatched out some pullet eggs for me and the result is one of my better layers, Sunny.

 

[Johnn]

Hey Johnn I caught Vanilla Ice sitting in the nest box today. She was warming a ping pong ball lol

Hope its a sign shes a girl! wish things were going well for my chicks, they have gone so downhill! Their mother has braught them up horribley! Asparagus tried to attack me, the Bellas picked a fight with a old hen and got beat up so Bellas mother beat the old hen up, then Bella tried to again and her mother joined in so i grabbed the mother and held her and Bella go beat up again, and this was all in 5 minutes!! could have ripped my hair out!