Old Fashioned Broody Hen Hatch A Long and Informational Thread

[OHfarmerswife]

what a sweetie! What a beautiful view of the country side you have.

 

[elliechooks]

The last couple of days my ex-broody mama has started to squat again, and today she has laid an egg! Her babies are 5 weeks old and she has been a fab mum. I hope I get another broody before the summer ends!

 

[TracyK]

Hi everyone. Love the thread.
I'm new with all this. I have: 4 - 9 mo old girls & 2 - 6mo old - inc 1 oops roo. Months ago I ordered 4 chicks who will arrive about 8/6. The leader (Birchen Marans) is broody (the 1st). Perfect timing. I'm hoping she thinks they're hers. She's been setting on 4 very well cared for ceramic eggs with great devotion in the regular nesting box for about 1 1/2 weeks. I was building a broody coop from left overs from coop but by the time I finish she'll almost be done. I have my 2X4 inside brooder set up in the house incase this doesn't work. The coop is 6X6 with 2 floors. "Downstairs" is a mini run & "upstairs" is the main coop. The pop door is in the floor. The nesting boxes are 6" off the floor. They spend the days roaming the back yard (6' wood fence). I also have 2 ducks (separate house but roam the yard too), a small dog & 2 cats (scared to death of chickens & Ducks)
I have several questions:
1) is it too late to settle her away from the flock nestin boxes or should I wait till after introducing the chicks?
2) should I keep the chicks inside a couple days to be sure they're ok or will they be too confused about who's mom
3) When will the babies be safe in the big coop & ranging. (provided I can finish the broody coop b4 they come & convince her it's a good thing).
4) Since "Mom" Sophie is flock leader I guess the others are unlikely to bother the chicks?
5) will she loose her rank if I move her to broody coop?
6) the ducks are 5 mo females. R they likely to hurt the chicks?
I'll post pic of the setup if I can from the phone. Thanks so much for any advice

 

[Johnn]

Is she a BO? She is so pretty! Her chick is adorable too. I'm waiting on three eggs under my first broody. It's so exciting and nerve wracking lol. I'm not doing anything to the eggs to check and whatnot, just letting her set and do what she does. So the chicks should be ok as long as they are with their mom?

Yep, she is . I haven't left mine out for good yet, I am waiting for a warm day because it has been really wet recently. But I trust her, so yes they should be fine as long as they are with their mother. If you plan to let yours free range at a young age like I do, I wouldnt do it if she has anymore than 4 chicks as it could be hard for her to keep track of them all if something comes.

what a sweetie! What a beautiful view of the country side you have.

Thanks

 

[chickeneer45]

So I put a baby chick under my broody three weeks ago and she accepted it. She cared for like a good mother but then like five days later she went back to being broody. For the past two weeks she has exhibited all of the traits of a broody hen-- accept she also has a chick. I think she understands that the chick is hers because she is relatively protective of it if I try to touch it. But all day long she sits on her eggs-- and consequently-- her chick. When she goes out for her daily break, so does the chick. So the chick is fine accept for it stays in the coop basically all day long with its broody mother. I am worried of what will happen once the new eggs she is sitting on hatch because then she will have day old chicks and one awkward four/five week old chick. Should I take the chick away from her or just hope all goes well? I have tried very hard to break her of her broodiness but she is stubborn as a mule. Any advice would be greatly appreciated. I currently have six chicks in a bator that I could put the chick with... Advice?? Thanks!

 

[EmmyJ]

Thanks. The lady at the feed store has chickens - I'll check with her to see if she has any eggs.

 

[dretd]

So I put a baby chick under my broody three weeks ago and she accepted it. She cared for like a good mother but then like five days later she went back to being broody. For the past two weeks she has exhibited all of the traits of a broody hen-- accept she also has a chick. I think she understands that the chick is hers because she is relatively protective of it if I try to touch it. But all day long she sits on her eggs-- and consequently-- her chick. When she goes out for her daily break, so does the chick. So the chick is fine accept for it stays in the coop basically all day long with its broody mother. I am worried of what will happen once the new eggs she is sitting on hatch because then she will have day old chicks and one awkward four/five week old chick. Should I take the chick away from her or just hope all goes well? I have tried very hard to break her of her broodiness but she is stubborn as a mule. Any advice would be greatly appreciated. I currently have six chicks in a bator that I could put the chick with... Advice?? Thanks!

Well, if you want to break her you need to remove the eggs and nest so she doesn't have that to go back to. I guess I am confused about your saying she sits on her eggs all day? What eggs?

A wire floor is will work, but have you tried just removing the nesting material and eggs first to see what she does?

 

[1AcreRooster]

My BA hen finally seems determined to be a mom, shes got 9 eggs due to hatch on Aug 12th.

 

[Jharper]

My BA hen finally seems determined to be a mom, shes got 9 eggs due to hatch on Aug 12th.

You have a long anticipating wait then. My BA went broody with 4 golf balls and now she has wonderful chirping chicks.

 

[chickeneer45]

Well, if you want to break her you need to remove the eggs and nest so she doesn't have that to go back to. I guess I am confused about your saying she sits on her eggs all day? What eggs?

A wire floor is will work, but have you tried just removing the nesting material and eggs first to see what she does?

Yes; I have removed the eggs time and time again. She just broods on the empty spot if there are no eggs. I have three other hens; so every day three more eggs are laid and my broody rolls them under her so those are the eggs I am talking about...