Old Fashioned Broody Hen Hatch A Long and Informational Thread

[ChickiesNSA]

Hi everyone! I currently have a broody Seabright, she is on 6 eggs right now. They are due to hatch on May 9th or 10th. She chose a nest box that is inside a large dog crate. Every evening I have been closing the crate door and not opening it again till the next afternoon when my other 4 girls are done laying their eggs for the day, this way no one bothers her with wanting to lay in her nest. This is my first experience with a broody hen so I have a couple questions... As the supposed hatch date approaches should I leave the door closed all the time in case her eggs hatch? (Of course I would open it while I was outside in case mama wants to come out) Or should I just leave it open? my small flock free range during the day, so the other members would be around mama and chicks. Also once mama is with her chicks will she consider the crate her new home and take her chicks in and out of it? Or will she try to lead them to the roost box where everyone else sleeps? One last question, would it be okay to move mama and chicks into a chicken tractor once they all hatch? If I did this they would be separate but still visible from the rest of the flock. Moving her and chicks to the tractor seems to be the best idea. Any input is appreciated

 

[vegaschick]

Let me get back to you on that in 2 weeks.

Thus far, of the dozen special breed eggs I ordered...I set 10 due to shipping breakage and detached air cells of the others in the package. (I received 16, unpacked and let them rest for 10 hours, then candled to assess the best eggs. I set only those I felt had a good chance to develop).

So thus far...the broody is exceeding my inexpensive mini-incubator.

Lady of McCamley

Oh, I hope so for you. I have had terrible luck in incubators (both homemade and big cabinets) some worse than others. Some orders arrived with eggs totally smashed up, some looked great but none developed, some almost made the 50% hatch mark. I have 2 broodies, I ordered as close as possible (one state over) and am just keeping my fingers crossed they get here in good shape. My broodies are pros so I have no worries there. I just hate the thought of wasting more money if broodies just don't usually work for shipped eggs. Help. Anyone else?

 

[mystonedgarden]

Chicks first day out

They are just too precious!

 

[Johnn]

They are just too precious!

Thanks

 

[Bantam Bookhead]

I've subscribed because this is day 1 for my broody bantam, will be reading as much as possible

 

[fisherlady]

Oh, I hope so for you. I have had terrible luck in incubators (both homemade and big cabinets) some worse than others. Some orders arrived with eggs totally smashed up, some looked great but none developed, some almost made the 50% hatch mark. I have 2 broodies, I ordered as close as possible (one state over) and am just keeping my fingers crossed they get here in good shape. My broodies are pros so I have no worries there. I just hate the thought of wasting more money if broodies just don't usually work for shipped eggs. Help. Anyone else?

The total wild card with shipped eggs is the shipping itself.... if your egg source has decent fertility rates, and the eggs are well packed, and the Post Office is actually careful with the package (the biggest 'if' in the whole process, I believe) then your broody will do just fine, and most likely will do better than an incubator in the same situation.

A year ago in January I ordered eggs from 1 state away for a determined broody... I was lucky on all of the above listed points.... and Gracie hatched 8 for 8. That is a rarity, but it shows that broodies can overcome many obstacles!

 

[mollybuck]

They are just too precious!

i dont know how to multi quote, but those pictures are awesome! beautiful chickens and area!! I am so jealous! I would love to have more than my 1/2 acre..

 

[Johnn]

i dont know how to multi quote, but those pictures are awesome! beautiful chickens and area!! I am so jealous! I would love to have more than my 1/2 acre..

Thank you!

 

[K Epp]

When I lifted my goose off the nest yesterday morning there is a duck egg with external pip. I let her get back on the nest, but the poor girl is skinny. I've been pulling her off and making her go to creek for water and food. I also keep water and food in the house for her and the duck, but she isn't eating much if any.

Should I leave her alone since there is a pip?

I checked again last night and it still hasn't hatched.

 

[fisherlady]

When I lifted my goose off the nest yesterday morning there is a duck egg with external pip. I let her get back on the nest, but the poor girl is skinny. I've been pulling her off and making her go to creek for water and food. I also keep water and food in the house for her and the duck, but she isn't eating much if any.

Should I leave her alone since there is a pip?

I checked again last night and it still hasn't hatched.

I wouldn't lift her off again if there are pips... but do try to tempt her into eating a little bit by offering tasty treats by hand. if she likes fish I would even go as far as offering her minnows (if you can get any) Hoping she gets through the rest of the hatching quickly so she can get back to a normal food routine for you.