Old Fashioned Broody Hen Hatch A Long and Informational Thread

[bobbieschicks]

I have a hen that looks exactly like her! Is she a silkie??? My hen that looks like her name is Millie

Yes. She's a Partridge Silky named Shirley Jones.

 

[ChickyChickens]

Yes. She's a Partridge Silky named Shirley Jones.

Hahaha how adorable!!!!!!

 

[bobbieschicks]

Hahaha how adorable!!!!!!

Thanks. Guess I'm showing my age lol. One of my fav shows growing up.

It must be hard for the little White Leghorn chicks since I have 5 other RIR girls who look mostly like their momma. One just got pecked for hanging out too long next to a "not" mom hen.

 

[poodlechicks]

Thank you, Sydney, for the method for freezing eggs.

boobieschicks, they are adorable!!

I apologize for not remembering who gave me a method to break my broody without the use of wire cages, but thank you so much! After 6 days, Haru is back to normal again. No more taking her out of the coop twice everyday, placing food and water right in front of her and closing the coop after all others have laid. That was a lot of work...

 

[chicken garden lady]

I Have a 3 y/o BO who is on day 17. I gave her 5 eggs , on day10 removed one that wasn't fertile. The other four where kicking when candled. Tonight I noticed she was standing over her eggs instead of sitting. At first I thought she was hot, but when I went to lock up the coops I took a closer look and noticed she had a poopy butt. I brought her in and washed her butt feathers and towel dried her. I also candled her eggs. Only one had noticeable veins, one was solid dark except the air sack, its a green egg. the other two have dark forms floating but no notable veins, probable quitters? When I put her back she sat on her eggs. Any hope?

 

[bumpercarr]

I Have a 3 y/o BO who is on day 17. I gave her 5 eggs , on day10 removed one that wasn't fertile. The other four where kicking when candled. Tonight I noticed she was standing over her eggs instead of sitting. At first I thought she was hot, but when I went to lock up the coops I took a closer look and noticed she had a poopy butt. I brought her in and washed her butt feathers and towel dried her. I also candled her eggs. Only one had noticeable veins, one was solid dark except the air sack, its a green egg. the other two have dark forms floating but no notable veins, probable quitters? When I put her back she sat on her eggs. Any hope?

Day 17 should be mostly dark with the air sack. Sometimes they aren't quitters but are late. I would just wait and see what hatches at this point and not bother the eggs again after day 18.

 

[Sydney Acres]

Thank you, Sydney, for the method for freezing eggs.

boobieschicks, they are adorable!!

I apologize for not remembering who gave me a method to break my broody without the use of wire cages, but thank you so much! After 6 days, Haru is back to normal again. No more taking her out of the coop twice everyday, placing food and water right in front of her and closing the coop after all others have laid. That was a lot of work...

That was me. I'm glad it worked for you. Six days, she was stubborn! I've had a few need that long. Thank you so much for letting me know that it works for other people, as everyone's hens are different. I tried lots of things before I discovered this, and am so glad I found an option that is both effective and comfortable for them. My girls are just too big to have their plucked breast on bare wire.

 

[Sydney Acres]

Quote:
I agree. Unless you're a expert candler it can be very difficult to figure out exactly what's going on late in the incubation. It should be very dark. Sometimes you can't even see the veins, as they're covered up with chick flesh. Unless they stink, or the hen rolls them out of the nest repeatedly, there's still a chance that they might be fine.

Sometimes powdering the broody butt with corn starch can help prevent the poop from sticking, or can help remove what's stuck on the feathers.

 

[poodlechicks]

That was me. I'm glad it worked for you. Six days, she was stubborn! I've had a few need that long. Thank you so much for letting me know that it works for other people, as everyone's hens are different. I tried lots of things before I discovered this, and am so glad I found an option that is both effective and comfortable for them. My girls are just too big to have their plucked breast on bare wire.

Now I can direct my thanks to the right person!

She was a stubborn one and I almost caved in and gave her some eggs. Glad I didn't, or the future chicks would have to be house pets!

Here is Haru when still broody.

 

[Sydney Acres]

Glad I didn't, or the future chicks would have to be house pets!

Oh dear -- I've been there!!!