Old Fashioned Broody Hen Hatch A Long and Informational Thread

[ochochicas]

It really depends on the cat. We have 4 (not counting the ferals). They are farm cats, and their job is to hunt. Two of the cats are savage hunters that catch anything from lizards and song birds to squirrels and moles. That said, none of my cats will mess with the chicks. When we got our chicks we raised the first batch in the house with the cats. The cats learned from the beginning that the chicks are family and not food. As the chicks grew older they started pecking at the cats' eyes, which reinforced that they were not to be hunted. When a dove comes in the yard and tries to eat the chicken food, the cats will go after it, but they won't touch a chick!

 

[ChickyChickens]

It really depends on the cat. We have 4 (not counting the ferals). They are farm cats, and their job is to hunt. Two of the cats are savage hunters that catch anything from lizards and song birds to squirrels and moles. That said, none of my cats will mess with the chicks. When we got our chicks we raised the first batch in the house with the cats. The cats learned from the beginning that the chicks are family and not food. As the chicks grew older they started pecking at the cats' eyes, which reinforced that they were not to be hunted. When a dove comes in the yard and tries to eat the chicken food, the cats will go after it, but they won't touch a chick!

Wow, you have some good cats! Our neighbours cats used to always come into our yard and steal chicks from our broodies!

 

[AmericanMom]

Took the opportunity this evening to candle one of the Java's eggs (I know she is close, but forgot to mark my calendar when she started sitting) I am happy to report the 2/11 that I chose to candle show nice big air cells that have dipped quite nicely, I am of the mind by what I saw that I'm gonna see some chicks Tuesday

The Jersey that hatched out the 5 eggs last week is doing great, we opened up the enclosure and allowed her back into the coop, much to my relief she didn't head back to the nesting boxes but took them out to the run among the other cluckers and roosters, did a meet and greet and then headed back to her dog crate with all five chicks in tow.. She was in and out all day but when she wanted to have some momma time she took them back to her crate, I think she will be fine.

 

[ChickyChickens]

Took the opportunity this evening to candle one of the Java's eggs (I know she is close, but forgot to mark my calendar when she started sitting) I am happy to report the 2/11 that I chose to candle show nice big air cells that have dipped quite nicely, I am of the mind by what I saw that I'm gonna see some chicks Tuesday

The Jersey that hatched out the 5 eggs last week is doing great, we opened up the enclosure and allowed her back into the coop, much to my relief she didn't head back to the nesting boxes but took them out to the run among the other cluckers and roosters, did a meet and greet and then headed back to her dog crate with all five chicks in tow.. She was in and out all day but when she wanted to have some momma time she took them back to her crate, I think she will be fine.

Awhhhh! It's so special to see a momma raise babies! It can also be very amusing!

 

[margaretanne]

I put 6 chicks under the 2 broodies with one chick between them. I'm not a very good sneaker and they saw the torch coming. They started a low growling berrrrk noise, pecked my hand as I put the chicks under them, but never seemed to mind that I had just pushed 6 chicks under them LOL. Now I wait for daylight to see if they still feel accommodating
Margaret

 

[fisherlady]

I put 6 chicks under the 2 broodies with one chick between them. I'm not a very good sneaker and they saw the torch coming. They started a low growling berrrrk noise, pecked my hand as I put the chicks under them, but never seemed to mind that I had just pushed 6 chicks under them LOL. Now I wait for daylight to see if they still feel accommodating
Margaret

 

[ChickyChickens]

My EE, Mrs Frizzle, is on day 20 and she has got some chicks and pipping eggs! I hope all the eggs will be alright and hatch

!

She is not a happy hen! I had to wake her up and I think she woke up on the wrong side of the nest!


She has got 6 chicks, 3 eggs pipping and 2 eggs that are doing nothing!


These are my two favourite chicks so far! I hope the black one ends out being a hen!

 

[KV Silkies]

hi, having my first broody hatch ever.... we are on day 11, canlded last night and saw activity in all 4 of our eggs. Our silkie Cloudy is our first time broody, doing so far so good. we have 4 other silkie hens one silkie roo and another younger roo that i'm not sure what he is, but is not a bantam. my big question is if all my eggs make it and we get chicks

do I separate cloudy and her brood or should I leave them with the group? at this point everyone gets a long great... I have a big coop and an enclosed run. Cloudy is in one of our four nest boxes right now (and they all have curtains up).

Just wanted thoughts/opinions as I know people go both ways. My kids would be crushed if something happens to these chicks, so thinking perhaps I should build a pen around cloudy just in case?? altho she enjoys running outside quickly during her free few minutes during the day....

thanks for any input!!!

 

[maranfarmer563]

We leave them with the flock,but make sure they won't drown in water pail. Be there at dusk for a head count too. Lock them in on rainy days too. Good luck Jody

 

[KV Silkies]

thank you jody! was what I was hoping to do, hoping they hatch, this is our first time with a broody and her first time being broody. so far so good.

Val