Old Fashioned Broody Hen Hatch A Long and Informational Thread

[Sydney Acres]

Quote:
So sorry about your broody. I don't know if that trait is hereditary or not (in nature, the offspring of infanticidal mothers don't tend to get mature enough to reproduce), but it might be. But if she doesn't disturb the flock otherwise and she produces lots of eggs to eat, there's no reason not to keep her. I'd probably not want to hatch out any of her eggs though, just in case.

 

[Sydney Acres]

I've got one! No pips from the others yet but plenty of peeping. Also its weird posting in this thread when it started out with a broody but now its and incubator hatch...

Oh don't be silly. We're still in your corner. You don't have to go away just because your hen's hormones or neurotransmitters aren't properly balanced (or in non-technospeak, she's crazy dangerous).

 

[Sydney Acres]

One thing that I have heard of, but never tried (I live in a very dry area, the highest I've ever seen our humidity is 45%) is to put some dried fruit in the bator to absorb the extra humidity. Like I said, I've never tried it.

Generally speaking, I keep my humidity at about 55% until day 18 and then push it to 65-70%. So, you might be alright with these eggs. I hatch at altitude, so there I have to use a bit different technique. Anyway, good luck!

Hmm, it's worth a try.

 

[itspebbl]

I've got one! No pips from the others yet but plenty of peeping. Also its weird posting in this thread when it started out with a broody but now its and incubator hatch...

What breed is the baby? How is she/he today?

 

[TheGeekySheep]

What breed is the baby? How is she/he today?

A wheaten marans, the little feathered feet are so cute. I didn't hear anything from the other two eggs all morning and afternoon so I candled and did eggtopsies. I must have imagined the smaller egg peeping because it looks like it quit days ago. The larger one that was rocking was fully formed but never pipped, not sure what went wrong there, the shell was pretty tough.

I gave my little chick a stuffed toy and a mirror. Poor guy's going to have to wait till next weekend to get some brothers and sisters.

 

[itspebbl]

Aww it's soo cute!! I hope its a pullet

 

[itspebbl]

What color exactly is wheaten? Is it similar to partridge?

 

[TheGeekySheep]

Aww it's soo cute!! I hope its a pullet

Me too! I'll know in a couple weeks, they can be feather sexed quite early.

What color exactly is wheaten? Is it similar to partridge?

Wheaten hens are, appropriately, wheat colored. See example here:

http://maransofamericaclub.com/wheatenmarans.php

 

[poodlechicks]

still trying to figure put how to get pictures on to this site.

yea!

Love this picture! I saw the other ones, too. Adorable. Congratulations!

 

[poodlechicks]

Bumpercarr, just to let you know, I let the chicks and momma out with the flock yesterday. They were already flying out of the brooder anyway and into the enclosure around the coop. I opened the brooder to prevent the chicks and momma to become injured trying to escape and decided to see what would happen. Well, they were immediately accepted by the flock. Summer didn't even have to protect them. I guess the issue with the others pecking the little ones was food indeed. Nobody was around the feeders at the moment, so the hens didn't feel they had to shoo the chicks away from their food. After hanging out for a while, the chicks headed to the feeder and the rest of the flock didn't bother them. I was very happy and relieved with the outcome. Thanks again for the advice!