Old Fashioned Broody Hen Hatch A Long and Informational Thread

[perchie.girl]

Quote: If you see your hen pushing the eggs underneath her she looks like she is tucking them in.... she is but the action actually turns the eggs oddly enough turning one egg will move some of the others . Hens also get up a little and shift their position that moves the eggs around too with their feet or chest

If she has a place to get out of the nest box that is safe she will get out and eat and drink but I hope there is enough light in that basement to let her know daytime. Some people lift their broodies out and put them down next to the food and water at which time they will pound down the food and water and Do a HUGE broody poop. If there is space to put her a dust bath pan she will use that too.... then rush back to get on the eggs. I let mine do what they need. If your hen is not used to being handled she might struggle a little when you pick her up..... Its your call.

Its all instinct.... And totally amazing from the fact that they know to turn the eggs to knowing the humidity needs to be raised up when its close to hatch time. So When your hen hunkers down around day 18 she is upping the humidity just like lock down for incubators.

Oh and the first day they start setting is day Zero. and sometimes eggs just take longer to hatch....

deb

 

[Bush Chickens]

Thank you but the basement isn't dark,just the box because we have a lot of cats...should I try to make the lid just out of chicken wire? But then,I'd have to turn all the lights in the basement off at night right? I'm sorry,I'm probably asking something that everyone should already know..

 

[perchie.girl]

Thank you

but the basement isn't dark,just the box because we have a lot of cats...should I try to make the lid just out of chicken wire? But then,I'd have to turn all the lights in the basement off at night right? I'm sorry,I'm probably asking something that everyone should already know..

No experts here.....LOL... I am always learning.

Light is important. So Chicken wire lid is an excellent idea. You can dry fit a pvc frame (no glue) to attach the chicken wire to in order to create a lid with structural strenght, once the chicken wire is fastened on the frame the parts wont come apart. Because You know them cats are going to watch chick TV..... LOL. I have three. And can picture all three sitting up there staring down.... Knife and forks and bibs..... saying.... Open Open Open Open.

deb

 

[OHfarmerswife]

Couldn't I just get her up once every day? Or would that stress her too much?I actually don't have any food in there just yet,but she's only been in there since sunset,so she should be good till afternoon right?(my dad won't be home till then, I'm kinda the chicken expert in my family,but I wouldn't want to get in trouble!)wait,how could you tell her weight if she's all puffed up setting?

I understand how nervous you are, I was too. My broodie was not quite 1. I got her off the nest twice a day to eat, drink, & poop. She hatched 8 of 8. I am using the same routine with my second broody, she is due in about a week. Good luck and try not to worry too much. : )

 

[bobbieschicks]

So, broody silkie mix, first time brooder, has hatched 3 out of an original 10.  2 were broken by being pushed out of the nest on day 18 (I think they were moving and it scared her).  She left the nest this morning with her chicks and isn't going back, so her eggs are either not viable? or not fertilized? or maybe she is just happy after hatching 3?  I really don't know as it is the first experience for both of us.  She sat on the eggs for about 3 days after hatching the first chick, I suppose she thinks she is done, which she is by my estimation.  Does anyone have any opinions?

I would trust she's done.

 

[bobbieschicks]

So I went to check on my birds and make sure everyone was tucked in for the night, and the broody was off her nest, and her interim eggs were cold! Up on the roost with everyone else. She's been sitting perfectly for over a week. Of course my eggs for her arrived today, and were supposed to go under her tomorrow I didn't do anything with the coop except change the bedding, and there haven't been any changes in the flock. Does anyone have any tips to get her back on the nest? Otherwise I'm about to be stuck with 24 more eggs, ugh.

Sorry. I've not been successful forcing a pullet to go broody. The best you could try is putting her in a smaller compartment with fake eggs to see if she's ready to brood again.

 

[Pennoppom]

I put a couple of day olds under Pancake last night and as of this morning she is a very protective loving mama!

Will she be able to take them down the ramp, or should I move the food and water up to them near the nest? It's about 3 feet and a pretty reasonable incline, and I'm not sure if the chicks can/will make it...

 

[Johnn]

I have locked her in the broody shed now, and her daughter from last year is going crazy trying to get into lay a egg (she is really annoying). she stood up and I looked at the eggs, there is no pips or anything, I started panicking but then I remembered its day 20 so I should worry until tomorrow!

 

[CherokeeFlats]

My broody hen, Snowflake, is "due" tomorrow. She has 10 eggs under her. I'm excited to see how she does. She's a first time mama.

 

[JodyDI]

Saw a question about feed. My chicks hatched Tuesday, I just ground up some organic layer, I know they have to be switched but hadn't gotten any yet. how crazy important to get them starter Now?