Old Fashioned Broody Hen Hatch A Long and Informational Thread

[ochochicas]

My broody took her eight week old chicks into the coop to sleep with the rest of the flock tonight. She left her last batch of chicks at 9 weeks, so I've been expecting this happen soon. I think she probably wanted to go on the roost by herself, but the chicks are up there with her. The roost is 8 feet high - it looks like those babies can fly!

 

[fisherlady]

My broody took her eight week old chicks into the coop to sleep with the rest of the flock tonight. She left her last batch of chicks at 9 weeks, so I've been expecting this happen soon. I think she probably wanted to go on the roost by herself, but the chicks are up there with her. The roost is 8 feet high - it looks like those babies can fly!

it is both wonderful and sad to see them reaching this stage...looks like she has been an awesome broody and is giving them a great start in the coop!

 

[bramblefir]

Eunice got out of her enclosure for a broody break today and wasn't able to find her way back in. I'm not sure how long she was off the eggs, but they were pretty cool. Crossing my fingers that they'll be okay.

 

[ochochicas]

Quote: I'm actually glad they are in the coop. We have more chicks hatching next weekend and need to consolidate them anyway. We also need to take the door off the stall they were living in so we can make some repairs. The chicks will warm up to me more when their mom leaves them. As it is, the brown one is pretty friendly but the darker one does not like people at all.

The broody is a black copper marans and she's the best broody anyone could hope for. Her chicks integrate right into the rest of the flock and never have any issues. (The babies aren't actually hers, she just hatched them). I'm also looking forward to her getting back to laying eggs! LOL

 

[chickenman5024]

I've got a broody siting on 8 eggs that are due not this weekend but the next

 

[Bushmansbliss]

My white game hen with her 10 chicks up on the roost within the first 3 days of hatching. She had this brood in June, and now they're starting to sit their own brood.

Her best daughter. She was a fierce pullet and I can't wait to she what type of broody hen she'll make.

 

[KrystalRose]

Thanks for the answer on the medicated feed for mama. I will switch it out tomorrow. Probably will be good since I have had cocci problems with my soil in the past. I cant get over how neat it was to candle the eggs, since they are brown eggs it was a little hard to see, but a couple of them I could see good enough to see the little black dot move with the heart beat I think. I am going to try to candle them again this weekend since they should be around 2 weeks and I should be able to weed out any bad ones if she hasn't already. Also it is funny how she looks like a puddle of feathers poured into the nest with just her head poking out, I had no idea she could spread out that much!!!

 

[Lady of McCamley]

Eunice got out of her enclosure for a broody break today and wasn't able to find her way back in. I'm not sure how long she was off the eggs, but they were pretty cool. Crossing my fingers that they'll be okay.

They will probably be fine...it is amazing how hardy they can be if they get a bit cool.

LofMc

 

[Lady of McCamley]

Thanks for the answer on the medicated feed for mama. I will switch it out tomorrow. Probably will be good since I have had cocci problems with my soil in the past. I cant get over how neat it was to candle the eggs, since they are brown eggs it was a little hard to see, but a couple of them I could see good enough to see the little black dot move with the heart beat I think. I am going to try to candle them again this weekend since they should be around 2 weeks and I should be able to weed out any bad ones if she hasn't already. Also it is funny how she looks like a puddle of feathers poured into the nest with just her head poking out, I had no idea she could spread out that much!!!

Yes...they REALLY flatten out...that's called the "spread factor" which you have to take into consideration when calculating how many eggs a hen can cover.

Some spread a LOT and can cover more than you think possible.

My new Silkie broody is smaller than my last one (who was taken by the hawk) but is easily covering 5 full size eggs....I think I could have gotten another one under her though she is smaller.

At 2 weeks with darker brown eggs, you may only see a lot of dark blob and air space. As long as you see air space all should be well...and often you'll see the chick move, but don't panic if it doesn't...they will hold still when picked up.

LofMc

 

[bumpercarr]

Thanks for the answer on the medicated feed for mama. I will switch it out tomorrow. Probably will be good since I have had cocci problems with my soil in the past. I cant get over how neat it was to candle the eggs, since they are brown eggs it was a little hard to see, but a couple of them I could see good enough to see the little black dot move with the heart beat I think. I am going to try to candle them again this weekend since they should be around 2 weeks and I should be able to weed out any bad ones if she hasn't already. Also it is funny how she looks like a puddle of feathers poured into the nest with just her head poking out, I had no idea she could spread out that much!!!

Almost all of mine by day 15 are very hard to distinguish anything other than the blob and an air sac. Occasionally if I leave them on the candler for a minute or two I can see a little movement. Rest assured, you are probably fine. It is amazing how flat those broodies can get! I only weed out eggs that were obvious non-starters. The hen will take care of the rest.