Old Fashioned Broody Hen Hatch A Long and Informational Thread

[fisherlady]

Well, there's good news. I came home from fishing today, and I had 3 new fuzzy butts, with another egg pipped. It looks like I'll get at least 4 after all. Yay! They are so darn tiny and cute on day 1, it's crazy.

That is wonderful news!!! Congrats and I am looking forward to pics!

 

[Bombadil]

Looking forward to seeing what everyone else's broody babies look like. I've a silkie/black sex link cross sitting on a dozen eggs and due to hatch in the next week or so. She's my first ever broody mama since I started keeping chickens last year. First hatch, too. Terribly exciting.

 

[Hayduke27]

Ok, so I counted my chicks before they hatched. The last one who pipped didn't make it. When I went out this morning, there was a bunch of yolk-ey goo dribbling out of the hole in the shell, and the chick was dead. The other two eggs showed no sign of action, so I pulled the remaining eggs. Eggtopsies revealed that one was not developed, and the other had a chick in it, but the chick was dead and had never broken the air cell, so something must have gone wrong for the poor little one.

On the bright side, I have three healthy little fuzzy butts and one very proud momma! 3 out of 9 eggs hatched for me. That's an improvement over last year's hatch rate. It's a learning curve for me and the chickens!

I'll post pics when I can get them!

 

[Johnn]

Because it's mothers day (UK), I thought I would post some pics of all my mother hens from over the years. First we have Orp, with Asparagus and Bella (2012), we then have Orp with Dorothy and Lily (2013), We then Have Daisy with Lacey (2013) and then we have Orp again with Jezebel and Chanel (2014), then we have Bella and Henry (2014) and then we have Orp and Coco (2014)

Also got to give credit to Melow. She was sitting at the same time as Orp and all her eggs were infertile, so once Orp has her first hatch, I took the other hatching egg (which was Bella) and give it to Melow. Her and Orp then came together to raise them until Melow was killed .

 

[Hayduke27]

Awesome momma pics, Johnn! Here's my new clutch of barnyard mixes. The rooster is a welsummer over an EE, and the hens I think are a light brahma and a black sex link.

 

[Angie16hearts]

My austrlorp is trying to go broody. She sat for 4-5 hrs yesterday then gave up. The thing is she's turned mean. Her hair is sticking up on the back of her neck. Just walking around grumpy!!! I'm a tiny bit scared of her. Could this be her trying to go broody? She was the nicest or one of my nicest hen turned mean over last 4 days.

 

[Angie16hearts]

[COLOR=141823]Because it's mothers day (UK), I thought I would post some pics of all my mother hens from over the years. First we have Orp, with Asparagus and Bella (2012), we then have Orp with Dorothy and Lily (2013), We then Have Daisy with Lacey (2013) and then we have Orp again with Jezebel and Chanel (2014), then we have Bella and Henry (2014) and then we have Orp and Coco (2014)[/COLOR]

[COLOR=141823]Also got to give credit to Melow. She was sitting at the same time as Orp and all her eggs were infertile, so once Orp has her first hatch, I took the other hatching egg (which was Bella) and give it to Melow. Her and Orp then came together to raise them until Melow was killed .[/COLOR]

Very cute!!

 

[Johnn]

Awesome momma pics, Johnn! Here's my new clutch of barnyard mixes. The rooster is a welsummer over an EE, and the hens I think are a light brahma and a black sex link.

Thank you! Your chicks are so cute!

Very cute!!

Thanks!

 

[Lady of McCamley]

My austrlorp is trying to go broody. She sat for 4-5 hrs yesterday then gave up. The thing is she's turned mean. Her hair is sticking up on the back of her neck. Just walking around grumpy!!! I'm a tiny bit scared of her. Could this be her trying to go broody? She was the nicest or one of my nicest hen turned mean over last 4 days.

Yes, that sounds like she is contemplating brooding...in the earliest stages. They can get VERY grumpy and disgruntled while not on the nest.

Hopefully she'll settle into a nice brood and stop stomping around like Atilla the Hen. Australorps are known as a breed that can go broody and be good mothers.

LofMc

 

[Angie16hearts]

Y

Yes, that sounds like she is contemplating brooding...in the earliest stages. They can get VERY grumpy and disgruntled while not on the nest.

Hopefully she'll settle into a nice brood and stop stomping around like Atilla the Hen. Australorps are known as a breed that can go broody and be good mothers.

LofMc

yesterday she sat for 2 hrs and allowed NO ONE in the laying boxes! They were running around freaking out cause at least 4 needed to lay. She is the lowest on pecking order all I can think she must be scary in the laying box! I left my rocks eggs out since I just treated her.
Pepper my current broody laid the last two days and is sticking with babies. I thought she was leaving them. I assume in next two days tops they are getting a little big to fit under her! It's kinda funny to watch now.