Old Fashioned Broody Hen Hatch A Long and Informational Thread

[bumpercarr]

x2

I've had trouble moving broodies with eggs...some birds simply won't adjust...but I've never had a problem moving mom and babies...often mom takes up a new residence with babies if the babies can't get to the original nest (too high), so she'll already be in the mood likely.

Lady of McCamley

x2 or x3....I don't know where we are, but I agree. After the fact, after the hatch, I can do almost anything and the broody will stay with the chicks. Because I have a ramp to the coop, most of the time once they leave it will take them at least a week to be able to make it back up the ramp. Because of that, I give them a box to sleep in on the ground floor of the run where it is safe. So, I guess all of us are saying let them hatch where they will, and then move them if necessary to a safe place. Good luck!

 

[Sydney Acres]

Quote:
Meyer is a huge hatchery. Have you called them to explain the circumstances? They might be able to move up your order so you'd have the chicks when she's been brooding for 3-4 weeks. Be sure to put something under her -- some hens will brood without eggs, but many will leave an empty nest without warning. I like using ceramic eggs, and my friend likes using real eggs but switching them out every week. She then boils them and feeds them to the chickens.

 

[daniellea2912]

Meyer is a huge hatchery. Have you called them to explain the circumstances? They might be able to move up your order so you'd have the chicks when she's been brooding for 3-4 weeks. Be sure to put something under her -- some hens will brood without eggs, but many will leave an empty nest without warning. I like using ceramic eggs, and my friend likes using real eggs but switching them out every week. She then boils them and feeds them to the chickens.

I am going to give them a call. However, I am picking up both my order and a friends while I am there so I am not sure if all our chicks will be available early... and its a little over a 2 hr drive one way so I'd hate to have to make a 2nd trip back... Another option I may have is I am getting 2 cream legbar chicks from a breeder- I may see if she will have any available earlier if the Meyer order isnt able to be moved up (I had originally planned to get them the day before the Meyer order so all the chicks would be close to the same age in the brooder) ... Im wondering if that would be a better plan anyway? I will have 7 chicks total and I am wondering since shes a first timer if it would be better for her to start with just a couple chicks? She is LF but is on the smaller side...

 

[Amy Foster]

my silly Sugar sat on the wrong nest for a few hours yesterday afternoon and her eggs were a little cool to the touch before i knew about it! when can i candle eggs to see if they were kilked by this mix up? the eggs are three days now any advice?

 

[Amy Foster]

Saw a round dark spot the size of a yolk inside each egg will try to candle again Sunday and hope i see an embryo new to candling so i think they are good for day three but honestly i cant tell yet!

 

[Debs55]

Saw a round dark spot the size of a yolk inside each egg will try to candle again Sunday and hope i see an embryo new to candling so i think they are good for day three but honestly i cant tell yet!

sounds good so far!!

 

[micah O]

does any one know how to help a chicken get broody????

 

[bumpercarr]

does any one know how to help a chicken get broody????

I think it is a matter of genes and hormones, but you can try putting an "egg" in her favorite nest and see if she'll take the hint. A lot of people use wooden eggs as they seem to mimic the weight the best and hold temperature pretty well if the hen chooses to sit on it. But in my experience, there are some hens that will and some that won't and some that give it a shot but can't seem to ever achieve the "trance". Silkies are almost 100% in the broody category where some of the hatchery production hens are at the other end of the spectrum.

 

[bhj123]

I am testing my hens eggs for fertility so hopefully in the next week I'll have some eggs being brooded by my big momma australorp.

 

[CarolinaHen]

I think it is a matter of genes and hormones, but you can try putting an "egg" in her favorite nest and see if she'll take the hint. A lot of people use wooden eggs as they seem to mimic the weight the best and hold temperature pretty well if the hen chooses to sit on it. But in my experience, there are some hens that will and some that won't and some that give it a shot but can't seem to ever achieve the "trance". Silkies are almost 100% in the broody category where some of the hatchery production hens are at the other end of the spectrum.

We have a Brahma that continually acts like she wants to go broody. She sits on the nest every single day.............. until my husband comes home and brings treats for them. Then she forgets about being broody until the next afternoon when she lays her egg.