Old Fashioned Broody Hen Hatch A Long and Informational Thread

[bumpercarr]

When I ask about unmedicated flock raiser/ grower they look at me like I made it up at the feed store. I am in Australia. What can I feed my whole flock from 6 weeks, 15 weeks, to layers, retired layers, and roosters? Any advice for Oz?

I think that medicated only comes in chick starter, so there probably isn't anything called flock raiser/grower that is unmedicated....they are all unmedicated as far as I know. Anyway, Ridley has a feed called pullet grower that looks like it would be fine for that period of time. I feed a higher protein and theirs is only 16% (+/-). It should be good until they start laying and need oyster shell. I leave mine on the grower and put out a bowl of oyster shell for the layers to use if they need it, but some buy layer feed that already has calcium in it for the laying hens. Whatever works best for you is what you should do. I just wouldn't feed layer feed to any birds that are not laying.

 

[bumpercarr]

Hi!! I have so many questions! My silkie is 7 months old and had been broody and trying to hatch a golf ball and the 3 other hens fertilized eggs for 3 days now. Today I talked to my neighbor about it, and they brought me over 6 fertilized eggs to put underneith her, to see if she'll continue to sit. I guess thats chicken math, since I never intended on having more, but I felt so bad for her!
Anyway, is it possible to leave her in the coop the whole time and let her do her thing? She is the only silkie, but the other 3 are protective of her (2 slw and 1 EE). Not aggressive at all. They have a 4x8 coop that is 7ft tall, so there is a ton of space, and they free range from 8am to 8pm ish.

She should be fine as long as no one is trying to pick on her or push her off of her nest.

 

[Jacqdiva]

I think that medicated only comes in chick starter, so there probably isn't anything called flock raiser/grower that is unmedicated....they are all unmedicated as far as I know.  Anyway, Ridley has a feed called pullet grower that looks like it would be fine for that period of time.  I feed a higher protein and theirs is only 16% (+/-).  It should be good until they start laying and need oyster shell.  I leave mine on the grower and put out a bowl of oyster shell for the layers to use if they need it, but some buy layer feed that already has calcium in it for the laying hens.  Whatever works best for you is what you should do.  I just wouldn't feed layer feed to any birds that are not laying.

Yes this is the dilemma! What can I feed? I don't want my old hens on layer. My feed store keeps saying they'll be fine but I know it is bad for their kidneys when not laying. Does any one have a brand name for unmedicated grower in Oz???

 

[bumpercarr]

Yes this is the dilemma! What can I feed? I don't want my old hens on layer. My feed store keeps saying they'll be fine but I know it is bad for their kidneys when not laying. Does any one have a brand name for unmedicated grower in Oz???

Ridley Pullet Grower, Laucke Mills Pullet Grower MP, those two should get you started.

 

[Jacqdiva]

Ridley Pullet Grower, Laucke Mills Pullet Grower MP, those two should get you started.

Thanks I will try to source them.

 

[fisherlady]

Hi!! I have so many questions! My silkie is 7 months old and had been broody and trying to hatch a golf ball and the 3 other hens fertilized eggs for 3 days now. Today I talked to my neighbor about it, and they brought me over 6 fertilized eggs to put underneith her, to see if she'll continue to sit. I guess thats chicken math, since I never intended on having more, but I felt so bad for her!
Anyway, is it possible to leave her in the coop the whole time and let her do her thing? She is the only silkie, but the other 3 are protective of her (2 slw and 1 EE). Not aggressive at all. They have a 4x8 coop that is 7ft tall, so there is a ton of space, and they free range from 8am to 8pm ish.

As others said, she should do fine with the small and friendly flock arrangement you have her in.... my only concern is the egg dates. You say she has been setting for 3 days on 3 fertile eggs from your hens, and that the neighbor gave you 6 for her to set on... does this mean she is currently on 9 total or did you remove your first 3 and then give her the other 6?
If she is on 9 total then you are most likely going to have a staggered hatch. This means the eggs are due on 2 different dates and in your case the dates would be 3 or 4 days apart, which can be a problem.
If that is the case, you have a couple of options....
1) remove the first 3 eggs and toss them or put them into an incubator..
2). leave all the eggs under her for the duration of the sit and remove the first 3 chicks when they either hatch and are dry or just before hatch and let them hatch in an incubator, this will allow the hen to remain on the other 6 eggs till they hatch, then you can give her back her first 3 chicks.
3)... Or when the first 3 begin hatching, you can remove the other 6 to an incubator to finish and hatch and then graft them back to the broody when they are dry.

I know it seems complicated but staggered hatching is often a problem and can result in a hen who wants to take her new brood out to begin their life after a day or two in the nest but can't because she still has eggs to set on... so she is faced with a dilemma... ignore her first hatched chicks' need and continue to set on the unhatched eggs, or abandon the unhatched eggs and tend to the first born.... neither is a good result, so it is up to us as caretakers to minimize the problems.

 

[Quailsong]

I'll never be able to keep up with this thread!

I'd like to ask a few questions for everyone who has a BIG broody mama. Does yours occasionally break eggs? Did you have to teach her not to, did she learn (the hard way) or just naturally know how to step? Any methods you use to make her brooding easier (like lower nests or easier grips to enter)?

I've medium-sized birds atm but thinking of crossing a couple breeds for a broody mama. I'd love a bigger girl but I've read how they're so clumsy, or maybe I just found all the bad threads & not enough raves about how awesome they are.

And thank you kindly for your time!

 

[ChickyChickens]

I'll never be able to keep up with this thread!

I'd like to ask a few questions for everyone who has a BIG broody mama. Does yours occasionally break eggs? Did you have to teach her not to, did she learn (the hard way) or just naturally know how to step? Any methods you use to make her brooding easier (like lower nests or easier grips to enter)?

I've medium-sized birds atm but thinking of crossing a couple breeds for a broody mama. I'd love a bigger girl but I've read how they're so clumsy, or maybe I just found all the bad threads & not enough raves about how awesome they are.

And thank you kindly for your time!

Mine does sometimes break eggs but not many (only 2 eggs so far)! I try to keep my chickens as natural as possible so I leave her to be! But the examples you mentioned would probably help her!

 

[ChickyChickens]

2 more of my hens have decided today that they want to be mommas (one second time and the others first time, she is 21 weeks)The older bigger one has got 15 eggs and the other one is smaller so she only has 12 (and its her first time..)
They are due in the beginning of October! cant wait to see some more little fluff balls!

 

[fisherlady]

I'll never be able to keep up with this thread!

I'd like to ask a few questions for everyone who has a BIG broody mama. Does yours occasionally break eggs? Did you have to teach her not to, did she learn (the hard way) or just naturally know how to step? Any methods you use to make her brooding easier (like lower nests or easier grips to enter)?

I've medium-sized birds atm but thinking of crossing a couple breeds for a broody mama. I'd love a bigger girl but I've read how they're so clumsy, or maybe I just found all the bad threads &  not enough raves about how awesome they are.

And thank you kindly for your time!

We have mostly large fowl broody hens, they do break eggs on occasion but it is improved if you provide them with a large nest box / area with a wide lip or perch on the front of it so the hen can take her time getting into it. Make sure they have deep bedding for cushion also. We frequently place them on the floor in medium pet carriers. You want an area wide enough for them to easily turn and maneuver in. You may want to watch yard sales and want ads for appropriate size boxes for your hens now so you will be ready.
For one of our hens we built a nest area in a quiet corner by placing cement building blocks 2 feet apart, 2 high and put a piece of scrap plywood over them. We then stood a 4" board on edge across the front and filled it in with bedding...instant over sized nest.