Old Fashioned Broody Hen Hatch A Long and Informational Thread

[Angie16hearts]

I always remove my timid girls from the main coop when they go broody...and since I never had a dominant hen go broody..I built a permanent broody coop for my timid girls.

What you are seeing is what I experienced repeatedly...the timid broodies keep getting pushed off the nest by the more dominant hens who want to lay. And it really confuses the little broody and keeps her unsettled. Sometimes it is because they will never settle, but I have had good luck with them settling once moved...almost, "ah, I can set about my business now."

You'll never know until you try...and if it were me, I would definitely try and see if this little girl wants to brood. Give her a few days to relax into her new space. If she remains fickle in the broody pen, then back to the coop she goes. If she is on again, off again, fickle brooding, I then encourage them to break by repeatedly through the day lifting them off the nest and taking them into the yard, setting them down, and giving them really, really nummy treats.  By the end of the week they are generally out about and running to me for treats.

And yes...get rid of the GLW. She would make a nice side dish to dumplings, nasty girl.

LofMc

I always love your information ! I put my GLW on craiglist. I put the GLW in a big dog kennel today . Oreo is already doing better she came out for a break and back in box. She stopped laying 2 days ago. I'm going to take your advice and move her to the broody coop tonight. With the same eggs. If she stays sitting how long would u wait to put the new eggs under her? Thank you so much!

 

[Angie16hearts]

LofMc
Is broody contagious? What I mean is since Oreos saw pepper with the babies does that make her want to go broody are do they only do it on their own?

 

[vpatt]

I did a no no. While Ebony was off her nest I moved a bucket nest onto her spot and moved the eggs into it. She was just on the ground....so I took the chance that being timid she would appreciate having a more hidden nest. I just didn't think it would work for her in the places where the other two had their nests because she is so timid and at the lower (possibly lowest) end of the pecking order. She seems to have taken to it quite well so far even tho I moved them in the day time. Other than that I have not bothered her. First we will see if she stays....then how many hatch. Fingers crossed.

The little stinker didn't lay often so I didn't think to look for eggs. She began sitting on Saturday.....would it hurt for me to switch out some eggs with some of my olive colored ones or is it too late? I didn't think of it on Saturday....sigh. And if I do that can I use eggs that have been on the counter for two or three days?

 

[rebrascora]

If she started sitting on Saturday then I would say that you need to either remove all the eggs she has and give her new ones and start the clock again.... yes the ones that have been sitting on the counter for a few days (up to a couple of weeks) are fine...... or leave her with the eggs she has and don't add any more. Otherwise you will most likely end up with a staggered hatch and she may abandon the younger unhatched eggs to tend to the chicks that hatch first. Three days difference is really pushing it in my opinion and not worth the risk. I suppose if you have an incubator handy and you are able to keep a close eye on things during those final crucial days then you could rescue any eggs she abandons to hatch in the incubator.

Good luck with her whatever you decide to do.

Regards

Barbara.

 

[Lady of McCamley]

I always love your information ! I put my GLW on craiglist. I put the GLW in a big dog kennel today . Oreo is already doing better she came out for a break and back in box. She stopped laying 2 days ago. I'm going to take your advice and move her to the broody coop tonight. With the same eggs. If she stays sitting how long would u wait to put the new eggs under her? Thank you so much!

If she stays like glue, 2 or 3 days may be enough time. You don't want to burn through her brood time and end up with her quitting because she has sat for over 3 weeks but the eggs still are only 2 1/2. It's always a bit of a risk with a new unproven broody how long they will stick, and in particular, how long they will stick past 3 weeks.

LofMc
Is broody contagious? What I mean is since Oreos saw pepper with the babies does that make her want to go broody are do they only do it on their own?

Well, a lot of us have suspicion there is an element of suggestion...but only for those birds who are inclined genetically to brood. Sort of like if you see someone making pizza, and you love pizza, now YOU want pizza. But if you don't like pizza, then watching someone make pizza won't increase your desire for it.

LofMc

 

[Lady of McCamley]

I did a no no. While Ebony was off her nest I moved a bucket nest onto her spot and moved the eggs into it. She was just on the ground....so I took the chance that being timid she would appreciate having a more hidden nest. I just didn't think it would work for her in the places where the other two had their nests because she is so timid and at the lower (possibly lowest) end of the pecking order. She seems to have taken to it quite well so far even tho I moved them in the day time. Other than that I have not bothered her. First we will see if she stays....then how many hatch. Fingers crossed.

The little stinker didn't lay often so I didn't think to look for eggs. She began sitting on Saturday.....would it hurt for me to switch out some eggs with some of my olive colored ones or is it too late? I didn't think of it on Saturday....sigh. And if I do that can I use eggs that have been on the counter for two or three days?

x2 on what @rebrascora said.

2 to 3 days on the counter should be okay...ideally you should be lifting and turning them so the yolk doesn't stick...but think about it...the birds aren't that careful. So I'd be comfortable setting them.

As to the stagger...I agree 3 days is too much and courts disaster unless you plan to finish in the incubator and sneak in hatchlings back under...which could work as many mommas don't seem to notice another chick or two once they've got their first out of the shell.

...and I've moved during the daytime too...not all birds need night time. Glad she likes her new digs.

Good luck and let us know how the hatch proceeds.

 

[vpatt]

Thanks both of you. I was pretty sure it was too late. Why didn't I think of it sooner? Well I think because I was in shock when I found her nest...lol. But after having these four little fuzzy spoiled chicks in the house I believe I'm gonna let the mama and Mother Nature take care of things. The chicks in the house are not that much trouble...but I feel kind of guilty, they have no mommy and they are not out playing chicken games all day like they would be if a mother hen was watching over them. If it all works out in the end then ill be happy. But I worry about them free ranging when they haven't been learning from day one. But they seem happy so I will see how they get along when they are with the flock. I think I mentioned that one of them is most likely not a pullet. Also, I noticed today that the RIR is not growing as much as the EE's. Her feathers don't look like they are growing in as quickly either. I don't know if there is a problem or a breed difference or what. She appears as active as the others and eating well. I will watch her more closely. What do you all think?

 

[Lady of McCamley]

Thanks both of you. I was pretty sure it was too late. Why didn't I think of it sooner? Well I think because I was in shock when I found her nest...lol. But after having these four little fuzzy spoiled chicks in the house I believe I'm gonna let the mama and Mother Nature take care of things. The chicks in the house are not that much trouble...but I feel kind of guilty, they have no mommy and they are not out playing chicken games all day like they would be if a mother hen was watching over them. If it all works out in the end then ill be happy. But I worry about them free ranging when they haven't been learning from day one. But they seem happy so I will see how they get along when they are with the flock. I think I mentioned that one of them is most likely not a pullet. Also, I noticed today that the RIR is not growing as much as the EE's. Her feathers don't look like they are growing in as quickly either. I don't know if there is a problem or a breed difference or what. She appears as active as the others and eating well. I will watch her more closely. What do you all think?

Breeds feather very differently, and the EE's are hybrids, and that can make a difference.

Other thought is...roo's often feather more slowly especially if you have production Red...some lines are bred for the females to feather quickly and males slowly.

But...hopefully it is a breed difference and not gender difference too.

I doubt she/he is sick.

LofMc

 

[ChickenLady2014]

I have one 5 week old mix chick that has half a single comb in the front and the other half is a buttercup comb - just in a small version. I'm assuming that both comb types were dominant.

 

[vpatt]

Breeds feather very differently, and the EE's are hybrids, and that can make a difference.

Other thought is...roo's often feather more slowly especially if you have production Red...some lines are bred for the females to feather quickly and males slowly.

But...hopefully it is a breed difference and not gender difference too.

I doubt she/he is sick.

LofMc

Thank you! So good to have someone to help and give advice.