Old Fashioned Broody Hen Hatch A Long and Informational Thread

[vpatt]

Mummy took the littles outside! Teaching them to scratch and peck. I put their water/feed nearby and I'm checking every little bit to see what's happening. The big test will be if they follow her to the nest when she goes. But I think she really has this under control, lol. Wow.

 

[CandylandRanch]

Here are my munchkins! Two are easter eggers and one is an EE buff orp cross, I would assume the cross is the lightest one? Or would I be wrong to assume this? Aren't they precious!

 

[vpatt]

Here are my munchkins! Two are easter eggers and one is an EE buff orp cross, I would assume the cross is the lightest one? Or would I be wrong to assume this? Aren't they precious!

They are so cute! I NEED some EE eggs for the broody! NEED

 

[StarMeKritten]

Here are my munchkins! Two are easter eggers and one is an EE buff orp cross, I would assume the cross is the lightest one? Or would I be wrong to assume this? Aren't they precious!

Cute! The light one is most likely the EE/ BO cross. I hatched a good number of those from different colored EE hens. They were always little yellow chicks that grew up to be mostly buff chickens with a little patterning in the tail. You can pretty much count on them having white legs too.

 

[ochochicas]

Mummy took the littles outside! Teaching them to scratch and peck. I put their water/feed nearby and I'm checking every little bit to see what's happening. The big test will be if they follow her to the nest when she goes. But I think she really has this under control, lol. Wow.

Aren't they cute together!?!?! Do check on them though since the chicks can get "lost" when heading back to the nest for the first day or two. I had 3 of mine huddled together outside the nest box on Saturday. I had to put them back in with mom a couple of times. I think they have it figured out by now (at least I hope they do since I had to go to work today).

 

[vpatt]

Aren't they cute together!?!?!  Do check on them though since the chicks can get "lost" when heading back to the nest for the first day or two.  I had 3 of mine huddled together outside the nest box on Saturday.  I had to put them back in with mom a couple of times.  I think they have it figured out by now (at least I hope they do since I had to go to work today).  

I will ....I have been going out every so often and looking out the window even more. It is getting closer to bedtime so I may just stay outside soon...until I see that they are inside. I will be home tomorrow and will be able to watch them again. If all goes well I will let them out Wednesday while I run some errands for a couple of hours. Just like having kids, lol.

 

[Lady of McCamley]

Isn't it great? I am fascinated by them climbing on mama's back.....hope I can get some photos today....I am leaving the coop open today because of warm temps. After an hour or so I will move some feed and water down on the ground and see if she takes them outside.....I am concerned about the coop being off the ground....but I will try to trust Olivia. Since hatching these eggs she is now Lady Olivia....mummy to some of us.
Joseph the Dirt is continuing to increase his roosterly behavior to the dismay of some. His evolving roosterhood is of great interest, also. I'm especially hoping he hones his "detection of predators" skills, as well as showing kindness to the ladies. His attitude towards me remains the same.....I look him in the eye often to see if I can detect any superiority issues developing.

LofMc, I hope the chicks are not too young for fluttering to the ground.....they are 15 days old today. But so far this morning they are not making the attempt.

They should be flying by now, by 15 days they should have their flight feathers in.

Your other posts indicate things are going well, and mom seems to have it figured out.

Yes, watch as they transition the first few days. Each batch is different. Some catch on quicker than others, and trying to catch the 2 week olds is a bit like Sylvester trying to catch Tweetie Bird.

Hopefully you've got sharp ones and Lady Olivia has them properly in tow in and out of the coop.

Lady of McCamley (or...LofMc)

 

[Lady of McCamley]

Here are my munchkins! Two are easter eggers and one is an EE buff orp cross, I would assume the cross is the lightest one? Or would I be wrong to assume this? Aren't they precious!

Cute, cute, cute. So happy for your little brood

Lady of McCamley

 

[AnneInTheBurbs]

Mine took all eggs that weren't hers.. Slip them under her at night

That's what I did! They don't care as long as something hatches. Unless it was maybe a dinosaur...

Thank you! She was sitting on 5 to being with,
Then about two days in two other hens layed eggs on her and I let her keep them. A week out I tossed a yoker, then before lock down I tossed a blood ring and a sloshy one.. Three hatched and one never did, I candled it day 23 ish and it was sloshy .. So I have three babies!

She's. Great momma... She lets me love on them, but gets protective if I lift them too far away.. They are too cute poking their heads out from under her! I'll post more pics today.

Yes I'm thinking pole barn will be where I put them

They are so cute! And I love the second picture where Mama is giving you the stink eye!

Here are my munchkins! Two are easter eggers and one is an EE buff orp cross, I would assume the cross is the lightest one? Or would I be wrong to assume this? Aren't they precious!

Cute cute cute! Wish me luck, im going to try to candle the eggs tonight since we are half way through....

 

[vpatt]

Aren't they cute together!?!?!  Do check on them though since the chicks can get "lost" when heading back to the nest for the first day or two.  I had 3 of mine huddled together outside the nest box on Saturday.  I had to put them back in with mom a couple of times.  I think they have it figured out by now (at least I hope they do since I had to go to work today).  

You and LofMc were both right......they are able to fly.......and they didn't seem to know exactly what to do when Lady Olivia went into the coop and began clucking for them to follow. One got in by going up the ramp and I finally leaned a log against the ramp halfway up. The other two flew onto the log and then onto the ramp.....with mummy doing all kinds of encouragement! She went in and out a couple of times. And now everyone is snugged up for the night. Well the olders are still out in the yard, but soon they will be inside too. You know how those older girls are. Sigh of relief....the babies are growing up.