Old Fashioned Broody Hen Hatch A Long and Informational Thread

[3riverschick]

Personally I would leave them alone. They can and will separate themselves if they feel it is necessary. I've had shared best box situations and the only eggs that got crushed were the ones that weren't going to hatch anyway. Let them stay warm together and co raise the chicks. He will not be mating them and there aren't going to be new eggs added because broodies don't lay when they are sitting. Leave them to their own choice and you will be happier in the end. Separate them and you will create a pecking order issue later.

Ok. I was such a stage mom when it came to raising Puppies. Always watching and ready to help, if needed,. Full of all kinds of science ideas and modern ways of raising puppies. Now I have these birds who have basically told me to shove it, they can do just fine by themselves, thank you. I guess I should be thrilled they are so "Sussex" in character. Doing exactly what the breed was bred to do. But it makes my human mind just a bit nuts that apparently I am not needed to help??? Should I take those big broody pops out of the coop? Any other maintenance or support I should offer? Do they need any supplements? I have Poultry Nutri-Drops I can put in their water. The waterer is very full. 1/2 of the water should be gone by now. They have been sitting since last Thursday. Should I carefully change the chips in the coop before the chicks hatch so they have clean flooring? Honestly I was surprised Junior didn't come after me when I went to add more feed to the feeder/But he just looked at me as if to say: Do you Mind? We are having a pajama party here."
Karen

 

[CamiLynn]

Is his way or approching me agressive?, he also does the mating dance around my leg. My oprington has done such a bad job shes braught her chicks up to be agressive, Bella is always fighting, The mother beats hens up and Bella joins in. Not sure if i want her to go broody again if this is her idea of raising chicks!

At least he approachs you with somewhat of a warning...my barred rooster "Rocky"...follows behind and acts as if he is eating and waits till I'm not looking to jump me...and only me! LOL

 

[Johnn]

At least he approachs you with somewhat of a warning...my barred rooster "Rocky"...follows behind and acts as if he is eating and waits till I'm not looking to jump me...and only me! LOL

I dont mind him being protective over the hens aslong as its only to predetors and not me!

 

[CamiLynn]

Ok. I was such a stage mom when it came to raising Puppies. Always watching and ready to help, if needed,. Full of all kinds of science ideas and modern ways of raising puppies. Now I have these birds who have basically told me to shove it, they can do just fine by themselves, thank you. I guess I should be thrilled they are so "Sussex" in character. Doing exactly what the breed was bred to do. But it makes my human mind just a bit nuts that apparently I am not needed to help??? Should I take those big broody pops out of the coop? Any other maintenance or support I should offer? Do they need any supplements? I have Poultry Nutri-Drops I can put in their water. The waterer is very full. 1/2 of the water should be gone by now. They have been sitting since last Thursday. Should I carefully change the chips in the coop before the chicks hatch so they have clean flooring? Honestly I was surprised Junior didn't come after me when I went to add more feed to the feeder/But he just looked at me as if to say: Do you Mind? We are having a pajama party here."
Karen

Sorry I couldn't help but laugh at your post. My last broody hen tried to eat me when I got near the nest and she was a tiny bantam! lol But, my broody silkie now lets me do what ever I want to her and her eggs. It just really depends on the bird. But, momma knows what to do and unfortunately adding food and water is all you are needed for at this time. Now don't be surpirsed if once she hatches the chicks if she won't let you any where near them and tries to attack also.

 

[tick22]

At least he approachs you with somewhat of a warning...my barred rooster "Rocky"...follows behind and acts as if he is eating and waits till I'm not looking to jump me...and only me! LOL

you must have a cute chicken behind!!!!!!! He just can't help himself.... Some people have them most don't.

 

[CamiLynn]

you must have a cute chicken behind!!!!!!! He just can't help himself.... Some people have them most don't.

 

[bobbieschicks]

Ok. I was such a stage mom when it came to raising Puppies. Always watching and ready to help, if needed,. Full of all kinds of science ideas and modern ways of raising puppies. Now I have these birds who have basically told me to shove it, they can do just fine by themselves, thank you. I guess I should be thrilled they are so "Sussex" in character. Doing exactly what the breed was bred to do. But it makes my human mind just a bit nuts that apparently I am not needed to help??? Should I take those big broody pops out of the coop? Any other maintenance or support I should offer? Do they need any supplements? I have Poultry Nutri-Drops I can put in their water. The waterer is very full. 1/2 of the water should be gone by now. They have been sitting since last Thursday. Should I carefully change the chips in the coop before the chicks hatch so they have clean flooring? Honestly I was surprised Junior didn't come after me when I went to add more feed to the feeder/But he just looked at me as if to say: Do you Mind? We are having a pajama party here."
Karen

I didn't offer my girls any extra supplements and they survived - don't know if your flock needs them but my guess is no. Yes remove the broody poops as they STINK and take up a bunch of room LOL! No don't bother removing the old pooed on chips, they will be fine. I don't clean out my coop shavings until Spring hits and that's not for another 2 months - I scoot it around and add another layer on top. They will drink less because they aren't laying and they aren't moving around as much or hot. But they will still drink and eat - so continuing to provide them food and water is good. The first broody I had I tried to do as much as possible with her and still she hatched her chicks just fine. The broodies both went broody at the same time and I did less with them then the first time, but still not hands off - they both hatched just fine, repeated the same again and same results. The last broody I decided to do very little for and she hatched her chicks just fine. Moral of the story - be as involved as you would like - they will still hatch what they are going to hatch. and be ready to take lots of pictures!!!!

 

[Johnn]

I really want one of my hens to go broody!, it annoys me when they do it later on because the chicks never start to lay till the next year and this year i am really desperate for layers. Im considering buying some but if i do im not letting anyone sit so it seems kind of unfair :/

 

[bobbieschicks]

Here she was early in the day. As I took out my camera she started to jump down.



Later in the afternoon. She made a nice nest there and covered herself with straw. But the egg was laid in the nest boxes later.



And her special present!!!!
Left egg is Vanilla Ice (Silky/White Leghorn/EE mix), center is Fluffy (Silky) and right is AC (Ancona).

 

[Johnn]

Here she was early in the day. As I took out my camera she started to jump down.



Later in the afternoon. She made a nice nest there and covered herself with straw. But the egg was laid in the nest boxes later.



And her special present!!!!
Left egg is Vanilla Ice (Silky/White Leghorn/EE mix), center is Fluffy (Silky) and right is AC (Ancona).

I love the colour!