Old Fashioned Broody Hen Hatch A Long and Informational Thread

[nfitzgeraldRN]

Such a good thread! My Japanese BTW "Juliet" has just started laying about 3 weeks ago one egg a day faithfully! Two days ago she went broody. Wont come off the nest and is sitting on 5-6 eggs (only 1 of hers) the others are full size. This is my first batch of chickens and she is only about 25 weeks old. I thought since fall was coming she wouldn't go broody until summer, guess she has other plans! She is sitting tightly but I was able to get the eggs to mark so my other layers don't keep adding to her nest. Not sure about separating her, I could put her in a dog crate in the coop but that feels mean. I am thinking I will just wait this out and see what happens..??! I guess its a learning experience. I just don't see how I could move her and the eggs with out messing things up. Its getting pretty cold at night here, the coop is getting down to 50 degrees some nights, but then warms up during the day. Need to get my heat lamp going in there to take the edge off. I will keep updating!

 

[nfitzgeraldRN]

Tried to move my broody and her nest to a large dog crate that I placed into the coop to keep her secure and keep others from "adding" to her nest. She freaked out! Thought she was going to break her neck trying to get out of that thing. Finally freed herself and went to our run to strech, drink and eat some. Returned to the coop a few minutes later but to the wrong nest. Took her nest out of the dog crate and placed it back where it was originally. Then picked her up and put her back on her nest. Has stayed. I will go check again in a bit. Guess she will have to stay with the others until her chicks hatch?!

 

[katie1500]

Can I just say how jealous I am that y'all have good broodies! I've had chickens forever, and the only breed I ever had even go slightly "broody" was a leghorn, or a RIR... But even undisturbed they eventually hopped off their clutch. Incubators for me it is XD

 

[Peep-Chicken]

I'm really, REALLY hoping my bantam Cochin will go broody. I have heard many broody reports on Cochins. She isn't even laying yet and I'm already looking at eggs to put under her! if she does go broody anyways.

Are these breeds at all broody?

1. D'anver bantam
2. Cochin bantam
3. Welsummer
4. Easter Egger bantam
5. White crested black polish bantam

Thanks!

 

[sharol]

I'm really, REALLY hoping my bantam Cochin will go broody. I have heard many broody reports on Cochins. She isn't even laying yet and I'm already looking at eggs to put under her!

if she does go broody anyways.

Are these breeds at all broody?

1. D'anver bantam
2. Cochin bantam
3. Welsummer
4. Easter Egger bantam
5. White crested black polish bantam

Thanks!

 

[Peep-Chicken]

Ok thank you!

 

[MEMama3]

I have a silkie/ameruacana mix that is constantly going broody. In the spring I want to get some fertile eggs for her to hatch. Going with my "colorful basket" theme, I plan to hatch the following breeds:
-welsummers
-white leghorns
-salmon faverolles
-black copper marans
-ameraucanas
Ideally I would like one pullet of each. My game plan was to do it in two hatches with three eggs of each breed to account for dud eggs and cockerals. That gives her about 8 eggs per clutch. She is slightly smaller than a LF bird, but she's pretty darn close.

My two questions are: Do you think 3 eggs gives me good enough odds for getting a female? Do you think 8 per clutch is a good number of eggs? Thanks!

PS: I'll be worrying about this all winter. Lol

 

[HaplessRunner]

LOL- you can always hatch more to make up for misses.

 

[MEMama3]

LOL- you can always hatch more to make up for misses. 

Oooooh, or I can sell misses for started pullets. I know you didn't suggest it, but you did inspire it

 

[harvestmoonGal]

Do the hens raise the chicks all by them self?

I haven't had good luck with day old chicks