Old Fashioned Broody Hen Hatch A Long and Informational Thread

[OHfarmerswife]

I did not think that any of my breeds would brood., so my new larger coop is still under construction, with chicks ordered, to arrive on 5/23. However, I now have two broody Speckled Sussex hens in a 8 by 9 A-frame coop that does not allow me to isolate the broody. Total Chaos so far. These are not the dominate hens and they get bumped from nest box to nest box  or they just change boxes on their own. I don't know, I think they get bumped. A couple of questions. I tried to set some eggs under the broody, via the back door to the nest box, at night and she started to peck my hand, didnot draw blood, but I have to admit I did not like it. I know she is defending her nest which is good, but is this common? Do most people put up with this and carry on? I wish she was as aggressive with the other hens at defending her nest as she was with me.

Does anyone use portable nest boxes, so if you wanted to move a broody you could just move the whole box, with her inside, to an isolation area? You would still have to set the eggs, of course.

Thanks,

mark

First year with broodys. I put them in movable nest boxes, and moved them to a secure area. Both had great hatches, one has integrated her chicks into the flock with great success, the others chicks are only a week old & still in a protected area. Hope this helps!

 

[Johnn]

I am fairly certain that my Speckled Sussex chick is a boy. I might keep him and see if I can keep 3 cockerels. If it doesn't work out, I will just have to try find him or Asparagus a new home. I will see if the Orpingtons old owner wants one of them.

 

[Johnn]

Thank you for responding. I think I'll go ahead and kick the SS off for a break(with babies in sight) hopefully she releases then put her back then work with the Dixie Rainbow. I hope this all goes well.

Maybes you should put her down and the hold the chicks infront of her so she will get up and try get to them.

 

[Flowerbh]

Each hen is different on wether it will "adopt" another's chick. I had a broody hen (no roo at the time) last spring who wouldn't budge off her nest so 2 weeks later I got her day old chicks...tried to place them under her at night and the next morning she only allowed 1 of the 6 near her, and was already siting on another egg and wouldnt budge. So all chicks came in the house and I got her fertilized eggs online. She hatched out 5 and was an excellent mother. You could try and see I your hen will adopt, but watch carefully and don't be alarmed if she won't.

 

[Flowerbh]

If I were going to try that, I would let her sit on some plastic eggs for a few days first and then try to sneak eggs under her at night and take the plastic ones out. She may then think her eggs hatched. Good luck.

 

[Nike]

Hey guys! I have a couple questions, one is how long do the mom's take care of the babies? I heard about 6wks? And also it's ok for the mom's to eat chick starter right?

I have four and I took some pics of them the other day
Here's Lily she's got 6 eggs.
And Rainy who has around 5 eggs under her
Prim who has 6
And lastly this girl is Claire and she has either 7 or 6. I can't remember. I know there is 24 total in the coop lol.

Oh here's my other question... Rainy and Claire's eggs are due on the 21st, but Lily and Primrose's are due on the 28th. Is that ok that they're due at different times? Then I also have two more broodies in my other coop that I'm debating on letting hatch... but do you think that would be too many mama's in one coop? The coop is 6x8. I would probably only give them a couple eggs each.

 

[Johnn]

Hey guys! I have a couple questions, one is how long do the mom's take care of the babies? I heard about 6wks? And also it's ok for the mom's to eat chick starter right?

I have four and I took some pics of them the other day
Here's Lily she's got 6 eggs.
And Rainy who has around 5 eggs under her
Prim who has 6
And lastly this girl is Claire and she has either 7 or 6. I can't remember. I know there is 24 total in the coop lol.


Oh here's my other question... Rainy and Claire's eggs are due on the 21st, but Lily and Primrose's are due on the 28th. Is that ok that they're due at different times? Then I also have two more broodies in my other coop that I'm debating on letting hatch... but do you think that would be too many mama's in one coop? The coop is 6x8. I would probably only give them a couple eggs each.

Hey guys! I have a couple questions, one is how long do the mom's take care of the babies? I heard about 6wks? And also it's ok for the mom's to eat chick starter right?

Yes, they can eat chick starter. And the usual is about 5-10 weeks. My Orpington kept hers last year until 22 weeks!


Oh here's my other question... Rainy and Claire's eggs are due on the 21st, but Lily and Primrose's are due on the 28th. Is that ok that they're due at different times? Then I also have two more broodies in my other coop that I'm debating on letting hatch... but do you think that would be too many mama's in one coop? The coop is 6x8. I would probably only give them a couple eggs each.

The gap shouldn't make a difference, it all depends on the hens. Some despise other chicks but other hens do not mind. It could also depend on how the hens got on before too.

 

[Nike]

Thanks! The hens seem okay with each other. Claire and Rainy were sitting on the eggs together for awhile. And three of them are sisters so they stick with each other anyways so I hope they'll be okay...

 

[Johnn]

Thanks! The hens seem okay with each other. Claire and Rainy were sitting on the eggs together for awhile. And three of them are sisters so they stick with each other anyways so I hope they'll be okay...

If they are close to each other I highly doubt they will attack each others chicks. Good Luck with your hatch!

 

[Nike]

Thanks!! I'll post pics of what I get! My flock is a big mix so I have no idea what these babies will look like.