Old Fashioned Broody Hen Hatch A Long and Informational Thread

[Triplell]

Hello,
well I have two official Broody's with chicks and another sitting on eggs. I have 48 in one large coop with a broody hen. I have hatched the last batch of chicks. Would it be okay to have a hen with chicks in this large group of hens? Also how could it work with the hens on layer pellets and the chicks in need of the chick feed? should I just separate the broody hen and go from there? We also are having frosty nights with the high temps only being in the mid to high 60's but I would like to let the chicks outside so momma can show them some other type of feed.

ANY ADVISE IS VERY WELCOME!!!

 

[Johnn]

That is soooooo adorable!!!!!

If thats to me then thanks

 

[Johnn]

Hello,
well I have two official Broody's with chicks and another sitting on eggs. I have 48 in one large coop with a broody hen. I have hatched the last batch of chicks. Would it be okay to have a hen with chicks in this large group of hens? Also how could it work with the hens on layer pellets and the chicks in need of the chick feed? should I just separate the broody hen and go from there? We also are having frosty nights with the high temps only being in the mid to high 60's but I would like to let the chicks outside so momma can show them some other type of feed.

ANY ADVISE IS VERY WELCOME!!!

Hmmm. I usually leave my chicks and mama in with the flock but give them a seperate feed bowl of chick crumb away from the other girls. Once they hit 6 weeks I put the whole flock on growers pellets and leave the adult hens a pot of oyster shells/grit (growers pellets lacks calcium as it can kill chicks and make them a crap hen). One they are 16 weeks I just put everyone back on layers pellets. I would probably recommend seperating the mama and chicks for the first week, even if its just in a dog crate inside the coop. I recommend that you do this just so they chicks are big enough to take a peck. Once they are a week old, if you still want to put them in with the flock, then just observe what happenes for 5-10 mins. The chicks will most likely get a peck off the other hens if they are in their way, but as long as the hens arent too aggressive then you don't need to worry. Its fine to let the chicks out with the mother, they will let her know when they are cold and then she will lie down and let them get warmed up in her wings . Hope this helps, any other questions then just ask!

 

[chickeneer45]

My partridge silkie has been broody for over a month now so today I introduced three silkie chicks that I got from IdealPoultry to her. She loves them! Its so cute! They didn't know what to do, but partridge silkie tucked them under her and now they are a happy family! One white, one brownish one, and one blue. I have seven others in the brooder, but I can't bare to let them go.

 

[howfunkyisurchicken]

I have a broody Silkie sitting on 5 Call Duck eggs. I've never hatched duck eggs before, so I thought they'd be better off under the broody than in my incubator.

 

[Johnn]

I have a broody Silkie sitting on 5 Call Duck eggs. I've never hatched duck eggs before, so I thought they'd be better off under the broody than in my incubator.

It's recommended that you spray them with some water every day. Some people do that and have success and some people dont do that and still have success. So I guess its up to you

 

[Johnn]

My partridge silkie has been broody for over a month now so today I introduced three silkie chicks that I got from IdealPoultry to her. She loves them! Its so cute! They didn't know what to do, but partridge silkie tucked them under her and now they are a happy family! One white, one brownish one, and one blue. I have seven others in the brooder, but I can't bare to let them go.

Love a happy story!

 

[Myrth]

I have a broody Silkie sitting on 5 Call Duck eggs. I've never hatched duck eggs before, so I thought they'd be better off under the broody than in my incubator.

Chicken hens do a good job brooding ducklings and goslings, but they tend to freak out when their chicks go for their first swim!

 

[irismommy]

My two old English hens just hatched a few of their own from their man fonzie... I left them in the pen and three babies got out of nest and could not get back in and one got stuck way under nest box... so I brought them all inside and put them in laundry room in isolation.... until all are hatched... so cute. I am hoping I got them in time, it was chilly out today and they were away from moms heat so I hope they will all live. they are not sluggish and are drinking and eating... This is my first natural hatch SO HAPPY!!! The Fonzie is such a beautiful boy and his chicks are nice colors, I will send picture when I figure out how. :}

Im in love with them all.

 

[jyurina]

Two questions since this is only my second time raising chicks, and my first time letting momma bird handle them.

1. What measures do you take against coccidiosis? Since the chicks are exposed to momma bird and sometimes the other birds, the whole 'sterile environment' that people talk about for brooders goes completely out the window.

2. What food do you provide? I've given mine medicated chick feed and put some layer feed for momma in a taller dish that the babies can't get into. I know momma's eating some of the medicated stuff too so I won't collect her eggs for a while when she resumes laying.

1. The baby birds peck at moms poop which inoculates them naturally against cocci
2.I give everybody starter and provide extra calcium. I don't do medicated feed and have never lost a bird, and they free range.