Old Fashioned Broody Hen Hatch A Long and Informational Thread

[OHfarmerswife]

Yep, that should work fine.  Lots of folks swap eggs and new hatched chicks back and forth between a broody and incubator.  Luckily hens can't keep track of time and they don't know what their chicks are supposed to look like!  LOL

I would make sure the new eggs are warmed to 'room temp' at least before you swap them out, so the hen doesn't get a shock of cool eggs all at once though.  So after the 9 eggs sit to settle for you then place them in a room with decent temp for a few hours to let them come up to temp. 

Again thanks for the great advice.
I will switch them on Sat evening.

 

[dara the barber]

I got four hens an two cockerel I just want them to have chicks with out intervening is it poss pls

 

[ocap]

Sorry if this has been asked before. I have a broody Legbar who was sitting on 7 eggs. I happened to catch her this morning when she was off the nest, peeked in and now there are only 6. I assume one broke and she cleaned it up. A couple of the eggs have a bit of goo on them.. The nesting material is a bit yucky, though. She is on day 19. Is it too big of a risk at this point to try and put some clean shavings in the nest? I sure don't want her abandoning the eggs at this point. I'd rather have the babies have fairly clean bedding when they hatch.
Thanks.

I would leave her alone this late in the process

 

[melissaG]

I got four hens an two cockerel I just want them to have chicks with out intervening is it poss pls

It can be possible, but more info on the chickens would help everyone to assess the probabilities and suggestions that would work well for the type they are.

good luck

 

[OHfarmerswife]

My Betty (avatar) usually sticks with 10. I'll give her 14 or so and she'll kick out the ones she doesn't like. But the last three hatches with her, she has stuck with 10. However she is huge, so it depends on how large your large fowl hen really is.

thanks kannna! Gertie is a large fowl but not a huge chicken so I will stick with the 9.

 

[melissaG]

Meanwhilest, the insane buff (yes that's what we call her, really lol) has been on her broodyness for 6 days now. So I thought I too should share in the joy that is, the puffed up chicken!! Yay!!
she's sitting on 16

I don't have a large rooster to hen ratio, so we'll just have to wait and see.

Meanwhilest, intentional breeding rooms have begun. much to poor poundcakes dismay, she'd much rather be out free ranging and not having to deal with the boys

 

[anniesmom]

I would leave her alone this late in the process

Thank you so much. That's what my gut was saying but the urge to give the chicks a clean bed was there, too. I will leave her alone.
Edited to add: Good thing I didn't touch her. I just heard peeping in the box. It sure doesn't smell very good, though.

 

[Pennoppom]

Okay, Y'all...another question! As mentioned, it's been really cold for a few days. Today I was concerned to see Pancake has some disturbances on her comb. Does this look okay? Or is something wrong? The black dots seem to be like little scabs, but just showed up today, and the tip of the comb has looked a little ashy, but now looks almost necrotic.





I'm starting to feel like an attention hog for asking so many questions, but I sure do appreciate all the feedback. My husband is patient with my chicken/banjo/veggie farming weirdness, but he doesn't have any interest in it, so this is a lonely little farmette sometimes. Thanks again!!!

 

[Pennoppom]

Meanwhilest, the insane buff (yes that's what we call her, really lol) has been on her broodyness for 6 days now. So I thought I too should share in the joy that is, the puffed up chicken!! Yay!!
she's sitting on 16

I don't have a large rooster to hen ratio, so we'll just have to wait and see.

Meanwhilest, intentional breeding rooms have begun. much to poor poundcakes dismay, she'd much rather be out free ranging and not having to deal with the boys

Love the puffy buffy! They are so funny and cranky when broody!

 

[OHfarmerswife]

Okay, Y'all...another question! As mentioned, it's been really cold for a few days. Today I was concerned to see Pancake has some disturbances on her comb. Does this look okay? Or is something wrong? The black dots seem to be like little scabs, but just showed up today, and the tip of the comb has looked a little ashy, but now looks almost necrotic. I'm starting to feel like an attention hog for asking so many questions, but I sure do appreciate all the feedback. My husband is patient with my chicken/banjo/veggie farming weirdness, but he doesn't have any interest in it, so this is a lonely little farmette sometimes. Thanks again!!!

I enjoy your questions, I learn alot. My broodys comb is light pink and curling. Any suggestions?