Old Fashioned Broody Hen Hatch A Long and Informational Thread

[Betty1]

I'm on day 18 with my broody hen, she's in the house because we had a bit of a storm and didn't want her to blow away. Now she's staying even though the storm's over, because we didn't want to move her any more. I've been taking her out on some newspaper every day for a poo, a drink and a bite to eat, should I keep doing this after day 18?

 

[fisherlady]

I'm on day 18 with my broody hen, she's in the house because we had a bit of a storm and didn't want her to blow away. Now she's staying even though the storm's over, because we didn't want to move her any more. I've been taking her out on some newspaper every day for a poo, a drink and a bite to eat, should I keep doing this after day 18?

Place food and water where she can get to it at any time, and let her decide. I would say you are safe to let the cage door open for a while if you are close enough to supervise her from any unforeseen dangers. If she isn't able to be unsupervised then the food and water should be in the cage where she can get it. She won't go far from the nest.

 

[Betty1]

okay thanks

 

[chickengirl88]

My hen hatched some eggs in late august when will she start laying again?

 

[kmollyhughes]

We have two broodys we're slipping eggs under tonight. A silkie and a black copper Marans. 4 cream legbar, 8 blue ameracauna eggs. And we get 6 more black copper Marans eggs Saturday. *****fingers crossed*****

 

[pmcatnip]

My hen hatched some eggs in late august when will she start laying again?

Two of mine hatched eggs in September and as far as I can tell they're not laying yet. We free range and I don't know whose egg is whose most of the time. But these two have sort of taken over the back yard and I find no eggs around there. So I'm guessing they are waiting to resume laying until the chicks no longer need mothering.

Anyone know how long they'll keep trying to sit on the chicks at night? The babies are 7-8 weeks old now and less than half of them fit anymore but the hens don't let that stop them from looking ridiculous.

 

[fisherlady]

Two of mine hatched eggs in September and as far as I can tell they're not laying yet. We free range and I don't know whose egg is whose most of the time. But these two have sort of taken over the back yard and I find no eggs around there. So I'm guessing they are waiting to resume laying until the chicks no longer need mothering.

Anyone know how long they'll keep trying to sit on the chicks at night? The babies are 7-8 weeks old now and less than half of them fit anymore but the hens don't let that stop them from looking ridiculous.

The hens vary greatly in how long they stay with their chicks. I've had the same hen leave chicks at 4 weeks and then stay with the next hatch for 8 weeks. Some may stay even longer. They usually resume laying within a week or so of going back to their 'non Broody' activity, but this time of year they may not because of the shorter days or possibly due to some molting. If she is otherwise behaving normally I wouldn't worry much. Hens frequently slow down laying in the late fall anyway....

 

[Farmer Viola]

This morning I awoke to the wonderful sound of cheeping! Mama is doing a good job and keeping this little one warm.

 

[Betty1]

I got three chicks out of six eggs, well four actually but one died

, two eggs stank so we buried them next to their dead brother/sister, but anyway, my question is, could I put more chicks under her three days after the first little hole in a shell. Our neighbour was going to have the extras as we only want two, if there's any way she could still have some chickies we would like to know!
Thanks!

 

[fisherlady]

I got three chicks out of six eggs, well four actually but one died

, two eggs stank so we buried them next to their dead brother/sister, but anyway, my question is, could I put more chicks under her three days after the first little hole in a shell. Our neighbour was going to have the extras as we only want two, if there's any way she could still have some chickies we would like to know!
Thanks!

You can give her a few more, as long as her others are only a day or two old.... and be prepared to brood them yourself if she decides to reject them. Some folks have grafted chicks after a little longer of a time, but success goes down the longer you get from the original hatch time.