Old Fashioned Broody Hen Hatch A Long and Informational Thread

[Johnn]

Thank you everyone! It was a hard decision to make, but its for the best.

 

[CoopChick719]

I'm so sorry for you Johnn!

It is never an easy decision!! I haven't been on here for quite awhile but I know he was being a real stinker back around February. I had to re-home my very good boy, Marshall, the one who fed the chicks from his beak.

We live in town and quite close to neighbors. He decided 3 am was a good time to start crowing even if it was pitch dark out. DH & DD said they could hear him with the windows closed imagine what he will sound like w/the windows open during the Summer. It took me several weeks to finally decide they were right. I didn't want to be THAT neighbor! So he & 2 little roos went to the same family. My BR roo went to a co-worker. We are roo-less and I have to say my girls seem much more relaxed now.

 

[Johnn]

I'm so sorry for you Johnn!

It is never an easy decision!! I haven't been on here for quite awhile but I know he was being a real stinker back around February. I had to re-home my very good boy, Marshall, the one who fed the chicks from his beak.

We live in town and quite close to neighbors. He decided 3 am was a good time to start crowing even if it was pitch dark out. DH & DD said they could hear him with the windows closed imagine what he will sound like w/the windows open during the Summer. It took me several weeks to finally decide they were right. I didn't want to be THAT neighbor! So he & 2 little roos went to the same family. My BR roo went to a co-worker. We are roo-less and I have to say my girls seem much more relaxed now.

Thanks

. And yep, since February I have had to watch my back. But the past week or two he has been terrible and I cant go on like that for years. So its for the best but the guilt will eat me alive Honestly I will feel sooo bad! But I think one of my broodies chicks is a boy so he will take the place and be the boss once he gets above the hens. If not I will rehome one from a friend who will die other wise. Sorry about your boy

, never a good idea to crow at that time!!

 

[CoopChick719]

Thanks

. And yep, since February I have had to watch my back. But the past week or two he has been terrible and I cant go on like that for years. So its for the best but the guilt will eat me alive Honestly I will feel sooo bad! But I think one of my broodies chicks is a boy so he will take the place and be the boss once he gets above the hens. If not I will rehome one from a friend who will die other wise. Sorry about your boy

, never a good idea to crow at that time!!

I had a friend who said there is no need to live with a mean rooster. It's no fun having chickens if you have to be watching out for a sneak attack!

 

[CoopChick719]

I need to bump this up. Bobbieschicks any advice? My co-sitting Sizzles eggs did not hatch Friday Day 21 and today is Day 27. I didn't candle because they were tucked way under the nesting boxes. We, my sister & I, were not sure if they were fertile even though she does have a rooster. My question is what happens to my hens if I take the eggs? Will they be looking for chicks? It breaks my heart to have them sit for 21+ days and have none hatch.

 

[groverlvchx]

That's what happened to my first broody. They were all duds and rotten. In the evening I slipped seven week-old chicks under her and they are now one big happy family

 

[chiqita]

Any chance of getting them a few chicks? They will be sad. Or they may just keep sitting on nothing.

I need to bump this up. Bobbieschicks any advice? My co-sitting Sizzles eggs did not hatch Friday Day 21 and today is Day 27. I didn't candle because they were tucked way under the nesting boxes. We, my sister & I, were not sure if they were fertile even though she does have a rooster. My question is what happens to my hens if I take the eggs? Will they be looking for chicks? It breaks my heart to have them sit for 21+ days and have none hatch.

 

[glochis]

Just wanted to share the best part of using a hen to hatch.. I gave her some Americana eggs and they are hatching. Baby is soooo cute. She has two others hidden and more to go.

 

[CoopChick719]

I do have an opportunity to get some chicks. DH will flip if I mention more chickens but I may be able to sell the sad mamas issue.

 

[hotrodflash]

I need to bump this up. Bobbieschicks any advice? My co-sitting Sizzles eggs did not hatch Friday Day 21 and today is Day 27. I didn't candle because they were tucked way under the nesting boxes. We, my sister & I, were not sure if they were fertile even though she does have a rooster. My question is what happens to my hens if I take the eggs? Will they be looking for chicks? It breaks my heart to have them sit for 21+ days and have none hatch.

You can always break them from being broody, there are several ways to do it. I put mine in a open wire cage with food and water and make sure she is in shade the entire day. I broke my broody bantam in 2 days time. My sister has a broody Brahma and she is still trying to be broody on day 3 of breaking her. Shouldn't take but a few more days to break her and get her back to laying. She is being so stubborn about being broody that she tucked the feed bowl under her and was sitting on it and got very upset when it was taken from her.