Old Fashioned Broody Hen Hatch A Long and Informational Thread

[dldolan]

I use a dog house and a dog kennel for my two broodies. Works great!
Lucy gets the kennel...

And Ethel gets the dog house with hinged lid (for easy access!!)

Each gets their own mini-run for the first ten days with their (eventual) chicks. I've used this system with my LF mamas, and it seems to work great.

 

[fisherlady]

I use a dog house and a dog kennel for my two broodies. Works great!
Lucy gets the kennel...


And Ethel gets the dog house with hinged lid (for easy access!!)


Each gets their own mini-run for the first ten days with their (eventual) chicks. I've used this system with my LF mamas, and it seems to work great.

That makes for a wonderful set up!

 

[poodlechicks]

Didolan, the set up for your broody is the same as the one I used for mine and it worked very well. The only thing I did differently was to cover the run with wire cloth as my other hens were sticking their heads into the run to peck at the babies. Your pictures made me miss having a broody sitting on eggs

 

[lablover]

I had to move the whole nest down and she seemed more at ease after that. The chicks have had a full day of learning to eat and drink lol! She's changed nesting places a few different times, but that gives me time to keep the hay clean. So I plan to keep them separated for a week. After that, should I just be able to open her gate after the others have left to free range? Should she just venture out and do her own thing with them? Will I have to worry about her trying to nest out side, or should she bring them back to this pen to nest?

 

[fisherlady]

I had to move the whole nest down and she seemed more at ease after that. The chicks have had a full day of learning to eat and drink lol! She's changed nesting places a few different times, but that gives me time to keep the hay clean. So I plan to keep them separated for a week. After that, should I just be able to open her gate after the others have left to free range? Should she just venture out and do her own thing with them? Will I have to worry about her trying to nest out side, or should she bring them back to this pen to nest?

They are adorable... all of our hens are able to be out and about with the flock after the chicks are a few days old.... but our flock is chick friendly and chick experienced. Each flock is different because there is such a range of personalities possible in it's makeup. I would allow the hen choice to range after the chicks are a few days old but make the first time be when you are available to supervise either directly or just be around within hearing distance to assist if any aggressive flock members cause the mama and babies a problem. Our hens always head back to the coop with the little ones early in the evening and are quite happy to tuck themselves back into their floor nests with the little ones each night. Make sure you are around the first few afternoons to be able to assist if needed to get the little ones back into the coop if a ramp is involved. One common problem is the hen heads up the ramp into the coop and the little ones have trouble following so mama either stays in the coop with the ones who managed to follow (and the outside ones are left to fend for themselves and often don't do well) or mama ends up taking everyone back outside and 'roosting' on the ground somewhere close to the coop entrance in order to try to keep all of her babies safe. The chicks usually learn the ramp within a couple of days but may need help until then.

 

[dldolan]

Didolan, the set up for your broody is the same as the one I used for mine and it worked very well. The only thing I did differently was to cover the run with wire cloth as my other hens were sticking their heads into the run to peck at the babies. Your pictures made me miss having a broody sitting on eggs

Wire cloth sounds like a good idea.This is a new flock for me, and I knew how everyone behaved with chicks before (respectfully!). But these bantam gals are little, so hopefully all will go well. I like that the rest of the flock can see them and interact safely for a week or so after hatch before they mingle. I toss a lot of BOSS in and around the broody pens so everyone in and out gets treats to distract them.

Here is Ethel with her 9 eggs in the dog house. My friend grabbed me another great find today at the recycle station...someone had taken an old wooden end-table cabinet, and cut out a hole in the front for an indoor small dog to lie in. It is side-hinged to open the cabinet, with door hole in front makes it almost the same as my dog-house set up, just the side opens instead of the roof! Scrubbed it up, let it dry in the sun, diatomaceous earthed-it, and voila! New broody suite!

 

[dldolan]

One common problem is the hen heads up the ramp into the coop and the little ones have trouble following so mama either stays in the coop with the ones who managed to follow (and the outside ones are left to fend for themselves and often don't do well) or mama ends up taking everyone back outside and 'roosting' on the ground somewhere close to the coop entrance in order to try to keep all of her babies safe. The chicks usually learn the ramp within a couple of days but may need help until then.

I agree. For me, the priority is moving the broody to somewhere they can live after the chicks hatch. I want them to have a safe, comfortable spot to stay with the chicks (until they ditch them at 5-8 weeks!) where they don't have to climb or fly much until the chicks are stronger.

 

[ochochicas]

Nice job lablover! You chicks are so cute and your hen looks pretty content where she is.

For those of you who let your hens and babies out to free range, aren't you worried about a hawk or something coming and getting the chicks? I keep mine in a stall until they are at least 5 weeks. I let them out supervised only before that. We have a lot of ravens, hawks, crows and even an occasional eagle that flies over. Tonight I took a book outside for a couple of hours and let everyone out to forage.

 

[dldolan]

I make sure there is cover for them. Any my flock guardian mix dog helps as well as the rooster(s)! But yes, a book, a glass of wine, and I'm all for letting them out in the evening while I relax!

 

[lablover]

Nice job lablover! You chicks are so cute and your hen looks pretty content where she is.

For those of you who let your hens and babies out to free range, aren't you worried about a hawk or something coming and getting the chicks? I keep mine in a stall until they are at least 5 weeks. I let them out supervised only before that. We have a lot of ravens, hawks, crows and even an occasional eagle that flies over. Tonight I took a book outside for a couple of hours and let everyone out to forage.

Thanks!
Well I've had chickens for just over 2 years now, and nothing has ever gotten one. They really only free range if I am home, but they do have a run covered with very light weight netting. I've only seen a hawk (or something lol) fly over them once or twice and the rooster keeps a look out. They spend most of their time in the barn or under the carport though. However, this will be my first time letting chicks out this small. I usually just buy a couple of pullets and they are penned up until big enough to meet the flock. What I do with these babies will depend on how the hen handles them when outside. I do have cats around, so I may have to wait longer. I don't suppose the hen would keep up with the flock for extra protection??