Old Fashioned Broody Hen Hatch A Long and Informational Thread

[Johnn]

getting some shipped eggs want to put em under my now other silkie that has went broody(she saw the other & wanted some eggs too!) Are there any special things I need to do when my shipped eggs get here, have heard lots about the air cell being detached due to shipping? Do I put eggs under broody right away or sit them in an egg carton for awhile first to make sure air cell is re-attached??

You leave them sitting point down for 24 hours

 

[Miss Lydia]

Not sure if you can see the pic properly, its through the shed window (yes im nosey) but its the hen on my walk with her chick, I don't know how many she has though. I'm so glad it worked out for her because it was snowing quite a lot whilst she was sitting:

I see her, how many chicks did she hatch.

 

[Johnn]

I see her, how many chicks did she hatch.

I'm not sure, I will try get a better look tomorrow.

 

[Miss Lydia]

I'm not sure, I will try get a better look tomorrow.

Do you still have you 2 from last hatch you had, Asparagus and can't remeber your pullets name.

 

[Johnn]

Do you still have you 2 from last hatch you had, Asparagus and can't remeber your pullets name.

Yep, I still have them. Asparagus turned out to be aggressive though (Bella is on the right and her mother is on the left.)

 

[trameghan]

I think I will move my broody this weekend. I've got a 6x8 pen with a small dog house I plan on converting. I'm going to modify the doghouse roof so I can easily access the inside and put a nest box in. My question is this:I'm a little worried about reintegrating my broody. She is a bottom hen and if she doesn't hatch any eggs I worry about her getting beat up when she goes back with the rest. Should I put a friend in there with her? Thanks for your help. I'm a broody newbie.

 

[Johnn]

iQuote:

I think I will move my broody this weekend. I've got a 6x8 pen with a small dog house I plan on converting. I'm going to modify the doghouse roof so I can easily access the inside and put a nest box in. My question is this:I'm a little worried about reintegrating my broody. She is a bottom hen and if she doesn't hatch any eggs I worry about her getting beat up when she goes back with the rest. Should I put a friend in there with her? Thanks for your help. I'm a broody newbie.

Maybes you should just make it so the other hens can see her when she is out, so they know she's still there and part of the flock.

 

[hodgesk2]

I am new to BYC. I have a bantam chicken and rooster that was given to me. I was in the process of getting them used to being handled, but I was only able to get the hen to eat out of my hand. The hen has decided to go broody. I noticed she was sitting on the eggs on the 18th, but my boyfriend said she had been sitting for a few days.(I work weekend nights so he takes care of them while I work/sleep)

I tried to go see how many eggs she was laying on and I was planning on candleing them, but she wasn't having any of that! I am pretty sure this is her first time being broody. Should I try to check the eggs again or just wait it out?

They should hatch next weekend! So excited!!! If they do not hatch I was planning on going to TSC and getting some chicks to give to her (if she allows me to put them in with her!).

 

[bobbieschicks]

I think I will move my broody this weekend.  I've got a 6x8 pen with a small dog house I plan on converting.  I'm going to modify the doghouse roof so I can easily access the inside and put a nest box in.  My question is this:I'm a little worried about reintegrating my broody. She is a bottom hen and if she doesn't hatch any eggs I worry about her getting beat up when she goes back with the rest. Should I put a friend in there with her?  Thanks for your help.  I'm a broody newbie.

I would not put anyone in with her unless they have been hanging out together in the nest already. She will probably be quite content to be by herself to sit. Once the chicks hatch you an set up a penned area for the momma and babies to let the others see her with the chicks for a day or two. Then when you feel ready let them merge back to the flock.

Topsy was lowest in my coop and she boldly brought her babies into the coop and stood her ground protecting those little ones. For the most part things went smoothly, the babies were not in danger, but Topsy got pecked by Smokey who hated her. But the babies were fine and Topsy did a great job raising them and integrating them.

 

[Johnn]

I am new to BYC. I have a bantam chicken and rooster that was given to me. I was in the process of getting them used to being handled, but I was only able to get the hen to eat out of my hand. The hen has decided to go broody. I noticed she was sitting on the eggs on the 18th, but my boyfriend said she had been sitting for a few days.(I work weekend nights so he takes care of them while I work/sleep)

I tried to go see how many eggs she was laying on and I was planning on candleing them, but she wasn't having any of that! I am pretty sure this is her first time being broody. Should I try to check the eggs again or just wait it out?

They should hatch next weekend! So excited!!! If they do not hatch I was planning on going to TSC and getting some chicks to give to her (if she allows me to put them in with her!).

I have never candled. I don't really know how to anyways but that's ok, I like a surprise.