Old Fashioned Broody Hen Hatch A Long and Informational Thread

[fisherlady]

. Our broody hut (main one, we have made a number of temporary ones for when we have 3 or 4 hens setting at once.

It has it's own area for scratching and food/water. It is slightly changed now since we moved over to straight sand floor.

Front view shows the small door which can be opened to allow the hen and chicks into our 'people area' instead of the other fenced area. Heat lamp in view had a 'lizard bulb' in it (90watts) to keep the water from freezing. Gracie decided to be broody in January, hatch was January 28th and needless to say it was only about 10 degrees. The coop isn't heated, but the lizard lamp was enough to keep her water unfrozen for 8-10 hours.

Inside view of set up, after hatch the pink basket is removed and Gracie and chicks just have a nice pile of hay in the corner.

a construction shot to show how the front of the hut hinges up and out of the way for cleaning and general human access needs.

Wider view, you can see the other flock members trying to be nosey, this set up allows privacy for broody but still not removed from flock. Many of our hens just use it for a couple of days after they hatch, then they move back into the main coop in a medium or small pet carrier depending on their size. Now that our coop floor is all sand the broodies get a few days in the hut and 'people area' and begin teaching the little ones all they need to know....

 

[KV Silkies]

. Our broody hut (main one, we have made a number of temporary ones for when we have 3 or 4 hens setting at once.

It has it's own area for scratching and food/water. It is slightly changed now since we moved over to straight sand floor.

Front view shows the small door which can be opened to allow the hen and chicks into our 'people area' instead of the other fenced area. Heat lamp in view had a 'lizard bulb' in it (90watts) to keep the water from freezing. Gracie decided to be broody in January, hatch was January 28th and needless to say it was only about 10 degrees. The coop isn't heated, but the lizard lamp was enough to keep her water unfrozen for 8-10 hours.

Inside view of set up, after hatch the pink basket is removed and Gracie and chicks just have a nice pile of hay in the corner.

a construction shot to show how the front of the hut hinges up and out of the way for cleaning and general human access needs.

Wider view, you can see the other flock members trying to be nosey, this set up allows privacy for broody but still not removed from flock. Many of our hens just use it for a couple of days after they hatch, then they move back into the main coop in a medium or small pet carrier depending on their size. Now that our coop floor is all sand the broodies get a few days in the hut and 'people area' and begin teaching the little ones all they need to know....

i LOVE it!

My mind is awhirr of things to do tomorow now...

 

[KV Silkies]

@fisherlady how do you like the straight sand floor? have seen the chicken chick rave about it and am open to trying it, although we're so close to winter here I wonder if I should wait until spring now....

anyone else pros or cons?

 

[fisherlady]

@fisherlady
 how do you like the straight sand floor?  have seen the chicken chick rave about it and am open to trying it, although we're so close to winter here I wonder if I should wait until spring now....

anyone else pros or cons?

Personally I love it, but it's not for everyone...
Pros...
It is relatively easy to keep clean with a fine tined rake and a sifter.
It stays fresh with the addition of a small amount of PDZ (stall freshener available at feed stores) and/or a small amount of wood ashes added weekly.
Cons...
You MUST have a dry floor to start with. If your floor is dirt or gets wet regularly you will have a lumpy mess.
You should have either an insulated floor or at least one which is not drafty underneath because sand isn't a good insulator and the floor will be colder than deep litter.

I think it provides a nice environment though.

 

[KV Silkies]

I think I will give it a shot next year. my coop floor is all wooden, not drafty so the sand would work ok if it's dry, and have heard good things. heck, worth a shot! I bet the chickens would love it....

 

[JaceAgain]

Aright my 1 baby chick hatched today! Mama has been taking very good care of it so far, the last chicks I raised in a brooder, so what do I need to do to help out mama chicken with raising her baby?

 

[fisherlady]

Aright my 1 baby chick hatched today! Mama has been taking very good care of it so far, the last chicks I raised in a brooder, so what do I need to do to help out mama chicken with raising her baby?

Mama does the work, all you will have to do is provide her a safe nesting area with easy access to peep food and a waterer that has marbles or rocks in it to make sure it isn't too deep for the little ones. Mama hen can eat the same chick starter as the baby and it is up to you if you keep them separate from the flock or allow her to raise it within the flock.

 

[ChickyChickens]

Octomoms eggs started to hatch on day 19 and have finished on day 22! She sadly left 4 eggs (2 were pipping) so I put them under Moonshine(no pic) as her chicks started to hatch today!


Here is a pic of her clutch/babes!



Goldie (one of my favourite chickens) has got 11 chicks (this morning!)



Here, is her clutch!

 

[KV Silkies]

Ok, we have chicks!!!! Cloudy has done great so far!!! out of 4 eggs 3 are out and I put one in the bator as it should hatch saturday (was a couple days behind...) this is a pic of her first out my 6 year old named it "blackie" lol. this morning blackie had two little siblings hatch, another little black and a splash!!! holy cats these are SOOOO cute with a mama vs. a incubator!!!

 

[poodlechicks]

holy cats these are SOOOO cute with a mama vs. a incubator!!!

X2!!! The interaction is so beautiful to watch. Congratulations on your chicks! And all the other hatches. To those who haven't had the expected success hatching under a broody, hang in there. One chick hatched and successfully raised is already great in my book. There is so much to learn with every experience.