Old Fashioned Broody Hen Hatch A Long and Informational Thread

[Mrs Hutcherson]

I tried the calculator, it said boys would be barred 50% blue 50% black and the girls Solid blue or black 50/50

 

[bumpercarr]

I tried the calculator, it said boys would be barred 50% blue 50% black and the girls Solid blue or black 50/50

No barring? If you use the new calculator, it will let you pick the patterns under the male and female tabs. I think the barring will be on 50%, the lacing is diluted and doesn't come through. I looked this combo up not too long ago for a friend and I thought I remembered barring, but again, I could be wrong. My old brains don't retain info like they used to.

 

[Mrs Hutcherson]

That's what it said, I think I did it right. Time will tell!

 

[Yoyo with chick]

Will broodies give up eggs?

 

[fisherlady]

Will broodies give up eggs?

Yes, a hen can quit being broody at almost anytime during the normal brood... sometimes caused by immaturity, sometimes being bullied off of the nest by other flockmates, can be that she was never really, truly into a deep brood to start and has just been 'hormonal but not dedicated'

Did you have one quit? If so, how long had she been on the eggs? If they didn't get too cold you may still be able to salvage the hatch by incubating them yourself.

 

[Yoyo with chick]

Yes, a hen can quit being broody at almost anytime during the normal brood... sometimes caused by immaturity, sometimes being bullied off of the nest by other flockmates, can be that she was never really, truly into a deep brood to start and has just been 'hormonal but not dedicated'

Did you have one quit? If so, how long had she been on the eggs?  If they didn't get too cold you may still be able to salvage the hatch by incubating them yourself.

Today is day 17 it was a warm day so they weren't to cold either.

 

[fisherlady]

Quote:
I would candle them for signs of life and place them into an incubator... you may be able to use a heating pad or heat lamp to keep them warm till you get an incubator set up

 

[winteree]

wow that sucks i didn't know a broody hen would just stop being broody i thought they where fool proof

 

[fisherlady]

wow that sucks i didn't know a broody hen would just stop being broody i thought they where fool proof

nope, not fool proof at all, especially first timers or very young hens, or if the environment is broody unfriendly (aggressive flock mates)

 

[bumpercarr]

wow that sucks i didn't know a broody hen would just stop being broody i thought they where fool proof

Chickens are never fool proof!