Old Fashioned Broody Hen Hatch A Long and Informational Thread

[benthere-donethat]

We have successfully hatched a duck using a broody chicken. We had one hatch last week and it died after 3 days. I'm wondering if I should let the mother hen take care of it, how much I should supplement food and water, etc. Will the mother hen be able to care for it or should I step in? Thanks in advance.

 

[bobbieschicks]

Went out to make sure everyone got into the coop at sundown and found only the Silky mom & babies still outside. She thought she would settle down in the grass with her three. Scooped them up and she followed into the coop. I was pleased to find the Maran and her four already inside in a corner of the coop. The RIR has taken to sleeping in one of the lower nest boxes with her three little ones. Everyone seems to be doing fine.

 

[fisherlady]

Went out to make sure everyone got into the coop at sundown and found only the Silky mom & babies still outside. She thought she would settle down in the grass with her three. Scooped them up and she followed into the coop. I was pleased to find the Maran and her four already inside in a corner of the coop. The RIR has taken to sleeping in one of the lower nest boxes with her three little ones. Everyone seems to be doing fine.

Glad the adoption families are getting settled in, sounds like you have had an adventurous few days with them! I have been pretty much MIA recently other than a few quick check ins... I have been run ragged around home and have escaped to a long weekend at camp for some R & R before the next hatch.

We currently have 3 hens setting on a total of 15 eggs, all are due Wednesday, I haven't candled since about day 9, so hoping most are still viable at least. 2 are new broodies, 1 is on her second hatch of the year.

We are actually on broody hatch #19 for the year...and 2 of our chronic broodies should be repeating at least once more yet this year.

I just gave one of our repeat broodies a dozen eggs before leaving for camp yesterday, actually hubby gave them to her. He said he set the carton down on the floor in front of her nest and she was trying to snag the eggs from the carton before he even gave them to her. He removed her ceramic eggs and piled the new ones in front of her chest and she quickly pulled them all under, then politely dismissed him, since she had important broody business to do!

I do adore a good broody attitude!

 

[fisherlady]

We have successfully hatched a duck using a broody chicken. We had one hatch last week and it died after 3 days. I'm wondering if I should let the mother hen take care of it, how much I should supplement food and water, etc. Will the mother hen be able to care for it or should I step in? Thanks in advance.

I have never brooded a duck with a hen, but as long as you are aware of nutritional needs (I think it is Niacin for ducklings?) then there is no reason the hen shouldn't be able to tend to the duckling just fine. A baby duckling should be fine with water, if you want you could probably give it a bowl of water to play in, but be prepared for the hen to be about half freaked because she will think the little one is drowning!

I'm sorry I can't offer more first hand advise, hopefully someone else will chime in who has raised ducks with their hens...

 

[calichicken]

Glad the adoption families are getting settled in, sounds like you have had an adventurous few days with them! I have been pretty much MIA recently other than a few quick check ins... I have been run ragged around home and have escaped to a long weekend at camp for some R & R before the next hatch.

We currently have 3 hens setting on a total of 15 eggs, all are due Wednesday, I haven't candled since about day 9, so hoping most are still viable at least. 2 are new broodies, 1 is on her second hatch of the year.

We are actually on broody hatch #19 for the year...and 2 of our chronic broodies should be repeating at least once more yet this year.

I just gave one of our repeat broodies a dozen eggs before leaving for camp yesterday, actually hubby gave them to her. He said he set the carton down on the floor in front of her nest and she was trying to snag the eggs from the carton before he even gave them to her. He removed her ceramic eggs and piled the new ones in front of her chest and she quickly pulled them all under, then politely dismissed him, since she had important broody business to do!

I do adore a good broody attitude!

LOL...broody behavior and all their egg antics crack me up!!!

 

[loobyloo88]

Im worried about my new chicks legs....one chick seems to have a toe that turns out and on the other chick one leg seems to turn slightly in and its stumbling over it self when it trys to walk. This is the one with the turned in toe...

 

[Johnn]

We have successfully hatched a duck using a broody chicken. We had one hatch last week and it died after 3 days. I'm wondering if I should let the mother hen take care of it, how much I should supplement food and water, etc. Will the mother hen be able to care for it or should I step in? Thanks in advance.

If you are feeding it chick crumb, make sure it's not medicated. I've heard of hens hatching ducklings all the time. Sure it will be fine. Just leave her to it

 

[Johnn]

Wasn't expecting you yet!

 

[poodlechicks]

Wasn't expecting you yet!

Oh, how cute!!!

 

[Angiebubs]

My 3 wk old chicks...one of the clutches had some gurgly sounds and sneezing this morning. They all seem energetic and active, no signs of sickness. Would you give it a day and see how they look or treat with an antibiotic asap? I have Tylan 50 on hand.