Old Fashioned Broody Hen Hatch A Long and Informational Thread

[Scrambles55]

Well, I yanked her out of her nest, fed her some frozen corn (thawed) and a couple of peanuts and while she was getting a drink I put the 8 eggs in her box. She came back, jumped in the coop and inspected her new found bounty. She liked it.

 

[Lady of McCamley]

Well, I yanked her out of her nest, fed her some frozen corn (thawed) and a couple of peanuts and while she was getting a drink I put the 8 eggs in her box. She came back, jumped in the coop and inspected her new found bounty. She liked it.

Seriously...I see a smile on her face...FINALLY they get it!

Lady of McCamley

 

[Hilarie]

Thanks for your input. It didn't take much to convince me that trying to smuggle these little ones under the broody probably wasn't going to fly, so I'm sticking with plan A and raising them under a heat lamp. Thank you so much for giving me your opinion, though.

 

[Peach Mom]

If your broody is tame and will tolerate handling, you can "powder" her bottom with corn starch. It will be somewhat like them dustbathing, and can bind up some of the sticky disgusting mess that is sticking to her feathers. And it is totally non-toxic, so no concerns when a little bit of it falls into the bedding. Oftentimes it will act as a dry lubricant so you can remove some of the debris with your hands. Just don't use so much that she ends up breathing too much dust, but that would have to be a lot.

What a great idea...corn starch!

 

[fisherlady]

If your broody is tame and will tolerate handling, you can "powder" her bottom with corn starch. It will be somewhat like them dustbathing, and can bind up some of the sticky disgusting mess that is sticking to her feathers. And it is totally non-toxic, so no concerns when a little bit of it falls into the bedding. Oftentimes it will act as a dry lubricant so you can remove some of the debris with your hands. Just don't use so much that she ends up breathing too much dust, but that would have to be a lot.

Love this tip! Will definitely keep it in mind for future incidents!

 

[Johnn]

Day 21: all three hatched but one didn't make it. It was lying in the food bowl and the broody was sitting talking to it and trying to get it back under her . Have moved them onto the floor now as we have had chicks fall out the nest box in the past so thought it would be best to do it now. These are the first of my own eggs to ever hatch! 100% fertile!

 

[Scrambles55]

Congratulations on the chicks!!

 

[Johnn]

Congratulations on the chicks!!

If this is to me, thanks!

 

[Pennoppom]

Hi Y'all!
This is my second year raising purchased chicks under a broody. I just waited til night and slipped them under her and she's been a great mom. My flock was decimated last year by a day time fox attack, so this year I purchased 16 chicks. I put 9 under my broody, and 2 didn't make it. The rest of them I've got in my garage under a lamp. I lost 1 to Cocci (I think) this week, but they others are doing great (I'm doing a water/Corid 5 day treatment for the indoor flock to be safe).

After seeing both brooding methods at the same time, I'm absolutely convinced that the best way for the chicks is to be raised by a broody. Does anyone know if she will accept the rest of the chicks if I do the same thing and put them under her tonight? They are 4 weeks, but that's the same age as my outdoor flock.

Total # of chicks is 12, 6 are polish (not quite bantams, but pretty small) the other 6 are regular size breeds. I'm in CO, and it's been in the 40's at night, but there's still a chance for snow at any time.

Anyone ever tried it? Would love some advice!

Thank you!

 

[TeaChick]

1st time broody mama hen & owner here. We gave our broody australorp 2 fertilized eggs as she was so determined. 1st hatched today! What an amazing process & so happy all that hard sitting paid off for our hen. 2nd egg is right behind. Thanks for sharing all the knowledge.

Congratulations!!!

Its just because when she has a large nesting area she doesn't notice when eggs slip out. Hopefully she will be more aware now they are actually hatching. She obviously knows they are because she got off her eggs and ran around fast as she could doing everything and when she saw me in the nest box she came flying back!

Oh, I see.
Oh, that sounds like a good sign. Wishing you and her the best!!!

We have a very stubborn broody named Tina. Last year she sat on an empty nest for 6 weeks even with me dragging her out and putting her with her flock mates every chance I got. This year I locked her out of the coop and she just made a nest in the dirt.
So we gave up and ordered some fertile eggs for her! I'm going to pull her out of the nest and put 8 eggs in there for her inspection tonite. She's been sitting on 2 fake eggs since we decided to get her some real ones. Wish us luck!

Tina, the broody Partridge Wyandotte...

Oh, Scott, I'm glad we're on several of the same thread, so that I can compliment you on your hens; they're gorgeous and beautiful and I wish they were running around my yard!!!

Pretty flowers too, BTW.

Well, I yanked her out of her nest, fed her some frozen corn (thawed) and a couple of peanuts and while she was getting a drink I put the 8 eggs in her box. She came back, jumped in the coop and inspected her new found bounty. She liked it.

The chickies are coming! The chickies are coming!