Old Fashioned Broody Hen Hatch A Long and Informational Thread

[chickydee64]

My dad called me super excited last night to inform me that his broody hen had five new babies with her now. He was raised on a small family farm, but moved away over 50 years ago. He saw my chickens and started missing the farm. He started keeping a small mixed flock this spring,and I've never seen him happier. He has fretted over "Peaches" throughout her entire 21 days on the nest and couldn't wait to see his babies. He sounded like a little kid at Christmas when he called me to tell me about them last night.

Oh, That is a tear starter.............Dang.............

Congratulations to Peaches and your Dad.
Won't go into a long story but we had a similar experience after my husbands open heart surgery.............
He hit a bad depression and the chickens saved him. Gave him a reason to get up and moving and something to worry about
other than his illness.. Our big Roo Boots, sat on his lap and they napped together in the lawn chair...................
Thanks for sharing your news.

 

[CarolinaHen]

[COLOR=008080]Oh, That is a tear starter.............Dang.............

Congratulations to Peaches and your Dad.[/COLOR] [COLOR=008080]Won't go into a long story but we had a similar experience after my husbands open heart surgery.............[/COLOR] [COLOR=008080]He hit a bad depression and the chickens saved him. Gave him a reason to get up and moving and something to worry about[/COLOR] [COLOR=008080]other than his illness.. Our big Roo Boots, sat on his lap and they napped together in the lawn chair...................[/COLOR] [COLOR=008080]Thanks for sharing your news.[/COLOR]

Awww!! Now I'm going to cry! Please post a pic of Boots. That's such a sweet story.

 

[CGinJCMO]

Quote:
Both stories are great. Hope I have my chickens after I retire (still got about 20 years to put in).

CG

 

[chickeneer45]

Two of my three hens have gone broody together. The first is sitting on eleven eggs and the second is sitting on two now. The second just went broody yesterday and the only reason she is sitting on two is because she stole one of the eggs from my other broody somehow. I don't know how she did it, but she did. So now she has one of her eggs and one that is three days older than her other egg. I am planning on putting three eggs that have been refrigerated under her and removing the one that belongs to my other broody. I would put more under her, but as of now I only have one laying hen... so one egg a day at most. Is it normal for hens to steal other broody's eggs? Will this continue to happen? Because I cannot be home everyday to sort out whos is whos each day. My first broody's eggs should hatch three to four days before the second's so I cant get them mixed up. I marked them, but I would just like to know if this is a common occurrence or just a one time thing. Thanks.

 

[groverlvchx]

CarolinaHen, that is awesome

 

[groverlvchx]

Two of my three hens have gone broody together. The first is sitting on eleven eggs and the second is sitting on two now. The second just went broody yesterday and the only reason she is sitting on two is because she stole one of the eggs from my other broody somehow. I don't know how she did it, but she did. So now she has one of her eggs and one that is three days older than her other egg. I am planning on putting three eggs that have been refrigerated under her and removing the one that belongs to my other broody. I would put more under her, but as of now I only have one laying hen... so one egg a day at most. Is it normal for hens to steal other broody's eggs? Will this continue to happen? Because I cannot be home everyday to sort out whos is whos each day. My first broody's eggs should hatch three to four days before the second's so I cant get them mixed up. I marked them, but I would just like to know if this is a common occurrence or just a one time thing. Thanks.

I would put some golf balls under your second broody and gather eggs for a week or two and start them under her all at once. Don't refrigerate them.

 

[chickydee64]

Two of my three hens have gone broody together. The first is sitting on eleven eggs and the second is sitting on two now. The second just went broody yesterday and the only reason she is sitting on two is because she stole one of the eggs from my other broody somehow. I don't know how she did it, but she did. So now she has one of her eggs and one that is three days older than her other egg. I am planning on putting three eggs that have been refrigerated under her and removing the one that belongs to my other broody. I would put more under her, but as of now I only have one laying hen... so one egg a day at most. Is it normal for hens to steal other broody's eggs? Will this continue to happen? Because I cannot be home everyday to sort out whos is whos each day. My first broody's eggs should hatch three to four days before the second's so I cant get them mixed up. I marked them, but I would just like to know if this is a common occurrence or just a one time thing. Thanks.

And yes, they can steal eggs. I have witnessed my old hen tuck one under her wing and return to her nest with it........sly little devil.
Does the same with chicks if she thinks she can steal them.
Another option would be to divide the eggs you have between the two broody's giving them each 6 or so.................
Cannot say if it is common......I do have to check mine daily because the other hens lay in the broodys nest.....................
Good luck and most of all have fun.

 

[showbarnmom]

Have my first broody! Lil gamey-bantamy-mutty mix. She started sitting Mon-Tues, and I have slipped 5 eggs under her, last one today. I do have a rooster, but not sure how fertility is going to be because we've had temps around 105-110 all this past two weeks. So, who knows! However, we will see what we get. If nothing turns out by the end of next week when I candle (HA..or try to) I have chicks in a friends incubator that should be about 2-3 days old by the end of next week, to slip under her, in case.

Wish us luck!

 

[chickeneer45]

Good luck! One of my broodies should hatch the same day as yours so fingers crossed all goes well!!

 

[CarolinaHen]

[COLOR=008080]And yes, they can steal eggs. I have witnessed my old hen tuck one under her wing and return to her nest with it........sly little devil.[/COLOR]
[COLOR=008080]Does the same with chicks if she thinks she can steal them.[/COLOR]
[COLOR=008080]Another option would be to divide the eggs you have between the two broody's giving them each 6 or so.................[/COLOR]
[COLOR=008080]Cannot say if it is common......I do have to check mine daily because the other hens lay in the broodys nest.....................[/COLOR]
[COLOR=008080]Good luck and most of  all  have fun.[/COLOR]

We have a hen that steals eggs too. When she goes broody, she wants ALL the eggs. She will stalk the next boxes just waiting for another hen to lay and then she is right up there to steal it :/