Old Fashioned Broody Hen Hatch A Long and Informational Thread

[Fentress]

Are their any problems with it being too hot for a hen to set. I know the egg temp. has to be 99 degrees, so she does not have to add much more in terms of temperature, but she still needs to provided the humidity, although around here that would not be a problem either. Will she just get off of the nest more frequently to get water and maybe let the eggs cool. Have not been following this thread so I apologize if this is a repeat question. I did have my first 2 broodies in May and everything worked out although I was not expecting it nor was I prepared, but what an experience. I am hooked and looking forward to next spring.

 

[OHfarmerswife]

My broodies and are English Orpingtons, but I live in England haha!

lucky for you!
I am jealous on both fronts

 

[OHfarmerswife]

Are their any problems with it being too hot for a hen to set. I know the egg temp. has to be 99 degrees, so she does not have to add much more in terms of temperature, but she still needs to provided the humidity, although around here that would not be a problem either. Will she just get off of the nest more frequently to get water and maybe let the eggs cool. Have not been following this thread so I apologize if this is a repeat question. I did have my first 2 broodies in May and everything worked out although I was not expecting it nor was I prepared, but what an experience. I am hooked and looking forward to next spring. 

good question!
Iwould also like to know the answer to that question.

 

[bobbieschicks]

Are their any problems with it being too hot for a hen to set. I know the egg temp. has to be 99 degrees, so she does not have to add much more in terms of temperature, but she still needs to provided the humidity, although around here that would not be a problem either. Will she just get off of the nest more frequently to get water and maybe let the eggs cool. Have not been following this thread so I apologize if this is a repeat question. I did have my first 2 broodies in May and everything worked out although I was not expecting it nor was I prepared, but what an experience. I am hooked and looking forward to next spring. 

Smokey hatched a brood during the hottet part of last year. She just hovered over her eggs most of the time. It's definitely hard on them since they have to stand more, so be sure to check on her often.

 

[bobbieschicks]

Well Smokey is broke now as well. So just two days in the cage and she's back to free ranging. I'm temporarily broody free. Lol.

 

[MuddyHillFarm]

Are their any problems with it being too hot for a hen to set. I know the egg temp. has to be 99 degrees, so she does not have to add much more in terms of temperature, but she still needs to provided the humidity, although around here that would not be a problem either. Will she just get off of the nest more frequently to get water and maybe let the eggs cool. Have not been following this thread so I apologize if this is a repeat question. I did have my first 2 broodies in May and everything worked out although I was not expecting it nor was I prepared, but what an experience. I am hooked and looking forward to next spring.

We had our first success with a Wheaten Ameraucana hen. She sat on 6 eggs in a separate section of a coop. One hatched yesterday (July 14) and another one this morning. Temperatures have been in the 90s here in Montgomery County, Maryland. Mama hen is panting but the chicks seem fine. We are hoping that a couple more will hatch.

 

[jesirose]

Cute!

 

[bobbieschicks]

We had our first success with a Wheaten Ameraucana hen. She sat on 6 eggs in a separate section of a coop. One hatched yesterday (July 14) and another one this morning. Temperatures have been in the 90s here in Montgomery County, Maryland. Mama hen is panting but the chicks seem fine. We are hoping that a couple more will hatch.

Awwhhh! So cute!

 

[CarolinaHen]

We had our first success with a Wheaten Ameraucana hen. She sat on 6 eggs in a separate section of a coop. One hatched yesterday (July 14) and another one this morning. Temperatures have been in the 90s here in Montgomery County, Maryland. Mama hen is panting but the chicks seem fine. We are hoping that a couple more will hatch.

Such a cute, fluffy chick!

 

[countrygirl74]

Are their any problems with it being too hot for a hen to set. I know the egg temp. has to be 99 degrees, so she does not have to add much more in terms of temperature, but she still needs to provided the humidity, although around here that would not be a problem either. Will she just get off of the nest more frequently to get water and maybe let the eggs cool. Have not been following this thread so I apologize if this is a repeat question. I did have my first 2 broodies in May and everything worked out although I was not expecting it nor was I prepared, but what an experience. I am hooked and looking forward to next spring.

I was worried about that too but we just had excessive heat waves while my silkie was sitting and look what we got yesterday!!!



I let my silkie Cloud sit on 4 of her own eggs. At the time, the only roo available was the blue silkie as our cochin started mounting the girls after she started sitting. So, these are pure silkies, though they are only hatchery quality.

I candled a while back and one ended up being a dud - not even fertilized. The other 3 were developing. Well, one hatched yesterday!! The cool thing is that I went out to check on her, lifted her up and actually saw the first pip happen in those few seconds! I left them alone for a while, then snuck a peek later and then again today. Was a little worried about the other two but I gently held one of the eggs to my ear and could hear movement and peeping inside! Yay! She (Cloud) is such a sweetie - never pecked me once during her whole broody time or even when I wanted to see her new baby. Here's some photos....


1st pip


Hatched!




All fluffed up...


Discovered the chick starter left in there for mom...




Hopefully tomorrow I'll have 2 more babies to show!!

Now for a question??? I have big rubber bowls for water for my 16 other hens and 2 roos (1 silkie, 1 huge cochin) and also feed them a whole grain mash grower feed. Do you think it would just be easiest to place mama and the 3 babies (still waiting for the other 2 to hatch) in the grow-out pen for a few weeks to make sure they don't get the wrong feed, fall in the water, or get stepped on by my huge cochin - LOL???