Old Fashioned Broody Hen Hatch A Long and Informational Thread

[acorns]

So excited! Put 6 eggs under my Young silky, she sat for 4 days before I found some fertile eggs. The other silkie and polish x(both girls) won't leave the broody alone,they are staying in side the shed all day and night with her,not going outside like they all use to,they free range,let them out in the morning till dusk.Is cute but what about their vitamin D? Yes am new to all this as an adult....I thought I was a good chook/looker/afterrrr when I was little,but obviously mum had a lot to do with that....hmmmm

 

[fisherlady]

So excited! Put 6 eggs under my Young silky, she sat for 4 days before I found some fertile eggs. The other silkie and polish x(both girls) won't leave the broody alone,they are staying in side the shed all day and night with her,not going outside like they all use to,they free range,let them out in the morning till dusk.Is cute but what about their vitamin D? Yes am new to all this as an adult....I thought I was a good chook/looker/afterrrr when I was little,but obviously mum had a lot to do with that....hmmmm

It isn't unusual for small flocks to be rather tight knit and like to stay together.... it is especially true if a rooster decides it is his duty to stay with the 'vulnerable' hen and therefore the other hens stay also. They may go out more after the first week or so or they may restrict their outside activities considerably for the length of the brood, it just depends on the flock. I recently had 2 very young hens who are hatchmates/sisters... at 7 months the first went broody and her sister sat beside her nest box for most of the 3 weeks 'keeping her company'... 2 days after the first one hatched her chicks the second sister went into a box and plucked her chest and decided to sit for real. She now has 3 of her own to take care of! So yes, it does happen, and they seem to be fine doing it... so just watch that everyone's health remains good (watch toenails which may get long if they are suddenly not free ranging) if anyone starts loosing weight you can increase their feed protein or supplement with healthy treats to encourage eating.
Make sure that your group has water close by and has access to a dusting area.... they should be just fine.

 

[bumpercarr]

Had a rainstorm today when I wasn't at home to help momma out and get her into her apartment and locked up. She must have protected the chick from the rain, as it is bone dry but she is soaked! We got 1/2 inch in less than an hour, I'm guessing she sat in all of it (by the way, all of the other hens took over her "apartment" during the rainstorm and were all dry). Anyway, she has cover to get out of the rain but didn't utilize it. Thank goodness it looks like our rain may be finished by tomorrow, it has been a rough September so far.

 

[margaretanne]

Good news, the 2 broody hens accepted the 6 chicks I submitted last night.Now thwy are caring for 7. I wonder what these guys think, that some eggs they werent watching just hatched, or they know its me but like the chicks anyway or do they not think at all and react "Oh goody, more chicks" and dont worry about how baby chicks can materialise
Margaret

 

[fisherlady]

Good news, the 2 broody hens accepted the 6 chicks I submitted last night.Now thwy are caring for 7. I wonder what these guys think, that some eggs they werent watching just hatched, or they know its me but like the chicks anyway or do they not think at all and react "Oh goody, more chicks" and dont worry about how baby chicks can materialise
Margaret

I would go with the one I highlighted... seems like when they are in the 'hatching' mode they don't care where they come from, they just want some!

 

[MrsBachbach]

Good news, the 2 broody hens accepted the 6 chicks I submitted last night.Now thwy are caring for 7. I wonder what these guys think, that some eggs they werent watching just hatched, or they know its me but like the chicks anyway or do they not think at all and react "Oh goody, more chicks" and dont worry about how baby chicks can materialise
Margaret

Mothering instincts can be very strong. So strong sometimes that one species will accept another species. I just watched a program on tv highlighting this. There was a cat who accepted ducklings, and a lion who accepted a baby antelope that was abandoned. A dang male lion ate it later though.

 

[rebrascora]

Yes, maternal instinct can be a very strong urge in some cases..

My mare once caught sight of a rocking horse (it was quite a realistic furry one) when I was riding in the back street of a residential area and became desperate to adopt that! She refused to leave it and even though I let her sniff it to try to convince her it was not real, she refused to walk away. Myself and two other experienced horsemen could not get her to move and in the end they had to put the rocking horse in a garage out of sight. She then screamed and screamed for it and although I eventually managed to ride her away, she was totally distraught.
She has had 7 foals, so I have allowed her to indulge her maternal instinct up to a reasonable point. It's now 5 years since I weaned the youngest and she is still producing milk and I have problems with mastitis nearly every year! And she's over 20years old. She just doesn't understand when to stop!

 

[ChickyChickens]

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

First time broodies are so cute! I love it when they don't really know what to do and they just look at you like "help meeeee..."

 

[AmericanMom]

My Java is gonna be a momma for the third time this year, just went out to feed and water the flock and candled one of her eggs, internal pip... Didn't want to mess with her or the rest of the eggs but given her ability I know were in for a nice hatch rate..

Normally I am a hands of the broody advocate but I had not marked the day I put eggs under her so was unsure of when they would hatch.. I gave her 12, one was clear at a point that the other 11 showed progressed veining, out of the 11 I believe 7-8 of them are EE eggs!! Hope, Hope Hope the majority are pullets this time!!!

 

[fisherlady]

My Java is gonna be a momma for the third time this year, just went out to feed and water the flock and candled one of her eggs, internal pip... Didn't want to mess with her or the rest of the eggs but given her ability I know were in for a nice hatch rate..

Normally I am a hands of the broody advocate but I had not marked the day I put eggs under her so was unsure of when they would hatch.. I gave her 12, one was clear at a point that the other 11 showed progressed veining, out of the 11 I believe 7-8 of them are EE eggs!! Hope, Hope Hope the majority are pullets this time!!!