Old Fashioned Broody Hen Hatch A Long and Informational Thread

[Johnn]

well here is the broodys batch she hatched out last weekend. the gal was unsure what the eggs were as far as breeds, most were white eggs, one was blue, and a few were brown. rooster was a big white one lol, and she says she has barred rocks, RIR and so fourth. not sure what they are, but man 4 out of six are sure flighty and run amuck ! She said she had white birds also, Im assuming these may be leghorns. As you can see, a few have black spots on them, but only a few.wondering what they weill turn out to look like.

this is the next broody mama that will hatch out friday. I had to protect her from the other mama wanting to sit on her eggs. Today they fought over them and one died.

Sorry about your loss!, The mama is pretty though!

 

[lawatt]

there are lovely little peeping sounds coming from underneath broody #1 (eleanor, a basque hen) -- today is day 21, so she seems to be on schedule!



i am a little concerned both with a) how the other three broodies will react (two of which are sitting on nests right next to hers), b) whether she will try to continue to sit on the other broodies' eggs, as karlamaria described above, and/or c) how the rest of the flock will react to the chicks -- but can only take it as it comes and see what happens!

very excited! this is my first hatching ever!

 

[OHfarmerswife]

there are lovely little peeping sounds coming from underneath broody #1 (eleanor, a basque hen) -- today is day 21, so she seems to be on schedule! i am a little concerned both with a) how the other three broodies will react (two of which are sitting on nests right next to hers), b) whether she will try to continue to sit on the other broodies' eggs, as karlamaria described above, and/or c) how the rest of the flock will react to the chicks -- but can only take it as it comes and see what happens! very excited! this is my first hatching ever!

I too am a first time with hatching, my babies are now a little over 2 weeks old. The other chickens ignore them. Their momma is one PROTECTIVE momma. They were in the run with the big girls for 6 hours today!

 

[lawatt]

I too am a first time with hatching, my babies are now a little over 2 weeks old. The other chickens ignore them. Their momma is one PROTECTIVE momma.
They were in the run with the big girls for 6 hours today!

so good to hear! my broodies have not been separated from the flock, so they will all be in the henhouse/run together all the time, except for when the run is open to allow free-ranging. (hoping the mamas can also protect their chicks from my curious cats! but given how much the chickens already chase the cats, i'm less concerned about that one...)

 

[OHfarmerswife]

so good to hear!  my broodies have not been separated from the flock, so they will all be in the henhouse/run together all the time, except for when the run is open to allow free-ranging.  (hoping the mamas can also protect their chicks from my curious cats!  but given how much the chickens already chase the cats, i'm less concerned about that one...)

I put mine in a separate Penn while hatching, when first born, and still at night.
I read that chicks are in danger with cats, dogs and even birds like crows. Be careful!

 

[bumpercarr]

I heard peeping sounds coming from under my broody silkie mix today. It is either day 20 or 21 (she was moving around quite a bit at first, so I'm not sure which day she actually started sitting on these eggs). When she got off of the nest this morning, I saw pipping on one egg, but couldn't get a good look at the others! I am so excited, just not sure what I'm going to do now. I guess this first time mama and I will learn together.

Keeping fingers and toes crossed!

 

[lawatt]

I put mine in a separate Penn while hatching, when first born, and still at night.
I read that chicks are in danger with cats, dogs and even birds like crows. Be careful!

unfortunately, with four broodies i do not have space to put each one in a separate pen. so, hoping everything will work out!

 

[mirandamiranda]

I have a question about taking care of the chicks when (if) they arrive. I currently have the eggs and broody in a sort of hutch separated from the other chickens, it is about 2 by 4 feet. Unfortunately I have realised that I am supposed to be going camping for 4 days when the chicks will be just over a week old. Usually when I am away I just keep the chickens in their run (as opposed to semi-free ranging them at the back of the yard) and a neighbour comes over to check on them.

The broody chicken is not especially high up in the pecking order and in her daily runs for food/dust baths etc I have noticed the other hens acting somewhat aggressively towards her - pecking at her and chasing her. Although she clucks at them and fluffs herself up they are not intimidated. So I am not overly optimistic that she will be able to defend her chicks from the others, and I'd like to keep them separated at least for a while, and certainly when I am not there to keep a close eye on things.

Will they be ok all together (mum and babies) in the smallish run for four days, if I ask my neighbour to change food and water etc? Will the mum need to go out?

I am worried that this is going to turn out to be a task I cannot delegate... My neighbour does not have chickens herself so I can't expect her to do too much although she is very obliging.

Many thanks for any suggestions!

 

[Funky Feathers]

I have limited pen space too. My girls love to co-brood. Kinda like a Brooding Party, lol. Curremtly I have 2 broodies in each pen (2 pens).

 

[karlamaria]

I have a question about taking care of the chicks when (if) they arrive. I currently have the eggs and broody in a sort of hutch separated from the other chickens, it is about 2 by 4 feet. Unfortunately I have realised that I am supposed to be going camping for 4 days when the chicks will be just over a week old. Usually when I am away I just keep the chickens in their run (as opposed to semi-free ranging them at the back of the yard) and a neighbour comes over to check on them.

The broody chicken is not especially high up in the pecking order and in her daily runs for food/dust baths etc I have noticed the other hens acting somewhat aggressively towards her - pecking at her and chasing her. Although she clucks at them and fluffs herself up they are not intimidated. So I am not overly optimistic that she will be able to defend her chicks from the others, and I'd like to keep them separated at least for a while, and certainly when I am not there to keep a close eye on things.

Will they be ok all together (mum and babies) in the smallish run for four days, if I ask my neighbour to change food and water etc? Will the mum need to go out?

I am worried that this is going to turn out to be a task I cannot delegate... My neighbour does not have chickens herself so I can't expect her to do too much although she is very obliging.

Many thanks for any suggestions!

every time my girls go broody the other hens pick on the broody mama. Maybe it's jealousy lol, but it happens every time. My chicks were one week yesterday and today I put her in a regular nest box and the other in the dog carrier. She and babies are fine. Today she took them out into the pen and the tables are now turned. They are staying clear from her and her babies. The other broody will have her brood this coming Friday or Saturday, she will be locked up the week also and only let out to eat and poop until the chicks are a week old and able to go out also. Right now it's snowing terrible. Ugh stop already!