Old Fashioned Broody Hen Hatch A Long and Informational Thread

[Phoenix Farms]

Congrats on the broody. They are sneaky like that when they want to hatch.

Turns out she wasn't broody. Only very grouchy because I interrupted her egg-laying. She usually gets super grouchy when laying an egg right before she becomes broody. I hope she isn't deciding to go broody since I'm splitting pens soon and need her for eggs. But as we all know, broodies are just so much fun!

 

[CoopChick719]

You were wise to leave them and let the momma do the work. She will keep them warm, teach them to find food & water, teach them to dust bathe, teach them how to roost, and keep them safe. They will grow up hardier and feather in just fine. Then when she leaves them to the roost at night they will have a place in the pecking order and get along easier then trying to introduce new young chickens into an existing flock. The babies knew the older ones all along and will know whom to avoid and you will have fewer pecking order problems.

All the good stuff I wanted them to have & know. They are already hopping up on the lower roost. As far as the pecking order that is exactly what I wanted to accomplish!

On a different note, one of my hens, Blue, has been sneezing. Tonight she was gurling & stuffy. I brought her into the garage and am running a cool mist humidifier with Oxine in to her pen. She has parked herself right in front of it. I don't know if she's just fascinated by it or it makes her feel better. Has anyone else used Oxine?

 

[bobbieschicks]

There is entirely too much lingering in nest boxes going on lately! And my ping pong balls are being scooted under Topsy too often. I have 1 full time broody (Topsy), one new silky who hasn't been broody yet, one splash maran, one mixed silky/EE (Vanilla Ice), and one Lavender Orpington who have all exhibited the classic pre broody signs. I'm hoping they are just lingering and not preparing.

On another note, Topsy's now 17 week old partridge silky looks to be a pullet as she has been checking out the nest boxes lately. I still think her other two are cockerels, time will tell.

 

[bobbieschicks]

All the good stuff I wanted them to have & know. They are already hopping up on the lower roost. As far as the pecking order that is exactly what I wanted to accomplish!

On a different note, one of my hens, Blue, has been sneezing. Tonight she was gurling & stuffy. I brought her into the garage and am running a cool mist humidifier with Oxine in to her pen. She has parked herself right in front of it. I don't know if she's just fascinated by it or it makes her feel better. Has anyone else used Oxine?

I used it once before in my coop and it left a nice clean smell to the air.

 

[Johnn]

There is entirely too much lingering in nest boxes going on lately! And my ping pong balls are being scooted under Topsy too often. I have 1 full time broody (Topsy), one new silky who hasn't been broody yet, one splash maran, one mixed silky/EE (Vanilla Ice), and one Lavender Orpington who have all exhibited the classic pre broody signs. I'm hoping they are just lingering and not preparing.

On another note, Topsy's now 17 week old partridge silky looks to be a pullet as she has been checking out the nest boxes lately. I still think her other two are cockerels, time will tell.

That will be alot of broodies!

 

[bobbieschicks]

That will be alot of broodies!

Haha! They better not go broody. Especially now that its still so blustery cold outside. Not that they couldn't handle it, It's just that I wouldn't be able to hang around outside and spy on the mommas with the babies.

 

[Johnn]

I havent collected my eggs in a few days so im hoping it might encourage someone to go broody. But i doubt it. Im not lucky enough to get one earlier in the year rather than later.

 

[luvmychicken]

Day 18. We are getting close!!! : )

 

[CoopChick719]

Day 18. We are getting close!!! : )

Oooooo...so exciting!!

 

[bobbieschicks]

I havent collected my eggs in a few days so im hoping it might encourage someone to go broody. But i doubt it. Im not lucky enough to get one earlier in the year rather than later.

Is this your summer time?