Old Fashioned Broody Hen Hatch A Long and Informational Thread

[Blooie]

 

[kristin07035]

Ok so im a bit of a control freak and even though I've seen my broody get off the nest herself I take her of every day around lunch time just to make sure she's eating, drinking, pooping.
Her eggs are due to hatch Friday so my question is do broody's h go into a lockdown the last 3 days? Should I continue to take her off the nest or leave her alone?

 

[ochochicas]

Ok so im a bit of a control freak and even though I've seen my broody get off the nest herself I take her of every day around lunch time just to make sure she's eating, drinking, pooping.
Her eggs are due to hatch Friday so my question is do broody's h go into a lockdown the last 3 days? Should I continue to take her off the nest or leave her alone?

It can work either way. I took my broody off every morning until day 19. I skipped day 19, and checked again on day 20. I wanted to make sure there were no chicks that needed help at day 20. All 10 fertile eggs hatched just fine. There was one sticky chick that needed a bath so it was a good thing I kept an eye on them.

 

[kristin07035]

It can work either way.  I took my broody off every morning until day 19.  I skipped day 19, and checked again on day 20.  I wanted to make sure there were no chicks that needed help at day 20.  All 10 fertile eggs hatched just fine.  There was one sticky chick that needed a bath so it was a good thing I kept an eye on them.  

Ok thanks I think I'll do that too so I can keep an eye on the eggs

 

[Blooie]

I heard a very faint "peep" tonight after all the girls had roosted for the night. Sounded like it was answering Agatha...heard it twice. Could it be????

 

[Turk Raphael]

I heard a very faint "peep" tonight after all the girls had roosted for the night. Sounded like it was answering Agatha...heard it twice. Could it be????

Now, don't go imagining things....Agatha has an upset stomach, accounting for the ....Just kidding!!!! Good Luck! I hope everything works out and you have a nest full of healthy chicks.


Turk

 

[Blooie]

That's it....I'm imagining sounds again. Or you might be right, maybe that's the sound of Agatha's tummy growling since I don't think she's been eating much!

Thank you Turk! I'm so hoping for at least one but I'll take as many as possible!

 

[Blooie]

Only chick so far...none of the other eggs are showing any signs at all. Gonna let Katiebug name him when she gets home.

 

[Turk Raphael]

Only chick so far...none of the other eggs are showing any signs at all. Gonna let Katiebug name him when she gets home.

Don't stress yourself (or Agatha) too much. TRY to relax and let nature takes's course. Cute little biddie!

 

[Blooie]

Katie got home from school and wanted to see Agatha and the chick. So we went out to the coop and she was as good as she could be - so quiet. I warned her that Agatha isn't done yet and she probably wouldn't let anyone see the chick. We weren't going to move or disturb her. She was fine with that.

I slid the crate out of the way a bit. Katie crouched down and didn't get to see much of him. But he poked his little head out from under Mom's wing then popped back under again. I snapped this picture just as she looked up at me and said, "Oh, I saw him!" She's named him Scout, because he's the first one and he must be scouting to check things out for the others.