Old Fashioned Broody Hen Hatch A Long and Informational Thread

I wouldn't wait too long to put the three of them together if you are going to brood them yourself. Most of my chicks are brooder raised, so I have quite a bit of experience in this realm (much more than with a broody hen). I would give the broody one more shot, but this is how I would do it:

Remove her from the nest and put her in a box, cage, whatever you have around and slide the chicks (that are ready) under her. Do this tonight, after dark. Tomorrow morning, get up before dawn (I know...I'm sorry) and put food and water outside of the box/cage. Wait for sunrise, then force the mother out of the pen if she doesn't leave on her own. Make sure the food/water is in a dish small enough for the chicks. If she doesn't start taking care of them at that point, you're sort of stuck brooding them yourself. If you can, see if you can encourage them to eat and drink before you try putting them in with momma. That way, they can at least get food and water....maybe she'll figure out the keeping them warm part. I know that you know if she attacks them then all bets are off and you'll have to brood them.

Your brooder can be almost anything that has high enough sides and enough space for the three chicks (yes, you are going to put all three of them together..LOL). Keep in mind that I have never, ever lost a chick due to being tromped on by others. Use an old heating pad and fold it in half to make a tent. Turn it on medium. Make sure that there is ample space for the chicks to be able to walk in. I have a heating pad specifically for this, you can also put it up into a lean to type arrangement, staple the cloth cover (wire side) to the side of the box/crate. What you are trying to achieve here is a space where they can run in to get warm if they need to, just like they would do with momma. With this set up, you don't need to measure the heat all of the time (I have an ecoglow...same concept). When the chicks feel like they need to be warmer, they will migrate to the lower sides of the heating pad, if they want to be cooler they migrate to the center or out of the heat pad tent altogether. Once they start climbing on top of it to sleep, you can just put it on low and let it collapse under their weight, that is usually at the two week mark or earlier in some cases. I don't do the whole 5 degrees a week thing....the mothers don't do that so why should I? I just give them different levels of heat to choose from and let them choose.

As far as putting the three together, I would probably do this tomorrow assuming that #3 isn't too weak. Too weak is not being able to lift it's head by itself. Any measure of strength above that should be put with the rest. Only thing to keep an eye out for is that because #3 hasn't built up it's strength it may topple over when pushed around by the other two. Just set him/her back up when that happens. Within a few hours he/she will be strong enough to keep up with the other two. There will be some minor pecking, but the longer that they are separated the harder it is for them to bond with each other. I've put newly hatched in with 3 days olds and haven't had a problem yet. I do have to watch them though....the newly hatched are not strong enough to right themselves if they end up on their back.

Good luck!
Let me know how it goes and if you encounter any problems.

I will make a point to put them together as soon as I can. I tried it earlier today with #1 and #2, but #2 trembles so yet that it falls over, and #1 was pecking it too much (although it may have settled if I hadn't intervened). #3 can barely hold its head up yet...I am dropper feeding #2 and #3 almost hourly...which is helping.

This is not a happy hatch...from lackadaisical broody to trembling, shaking, curled toed chicks (especially #2 and #3). I've booted #2 and #3, which has helped. #1 seems to be the sturdiest and strongest, straight toed, and is acts like almost a normal chick now, which is why I tried re-introduction with momma to the sad end of her not taking care of it and then attacking it when she finally roused from her deep trance....I just don't think #3 will be strong enough to be left to the elements again for any length of time.

Sigh: so, I am resigned I will likely have to brood them myself, in the house.

I don't have an extra heating pad...where do you find one that doesn't automatically turn off after an hour? I have a heat lamp over the boxes with the purpose of keeping them at the right temp, and still able to hear each other. I will try to put #1 and #2 in together soon again, otherwise I may attempt #2 and #3 as they are both so wobbly. You are right that I need to integrate them quickly so they will attach and bond together....otherwise I will have to get #1 a companion as it cheeps and cheeps for company.

Ah yes, the joys of chicken keeping.
barnie.gif


What are the thoughts on this first time broody? Skewed hatch produced poor mothering behavior? Or are her instincts simply too weak? (She's back to sitting on dud eggs that I placed to keep her parked).

Thanks for input.
LofMc
 
L-O-Mc If you want these chicks "I" would Not put them with the hen----1 peck to the skull is all it takes to end its life. A make-shift brooder is all you need.

Everyone does things different/their way-------"MY" way is I never bother a broody the last few days(not looking under her or anything)---For Sure I never put feed or water where she can get it without leaving the nest----doing so can and will lead to her pooping in the nest----if she poops in the nest it will usually be a "mother load" because she will hold it as long as she can----if she gets off the next during the hatch to poop----that can mess up her hatch(no food/water close to her nest at my farm). I have set MANY broody hens and I have never lost one because she did not eat/drink the last 2/3 days----They usually hatch on time and hatch 99+% of the fertile eggs that are under them. Except for one silkie the hens usually comes off the nest around day 21/22 with her chicks. The silkie I mentioned was trying to hatch the last egg and her some of her chicks jumped out the nest----this was day 23. I put her out the nest---took the egg(it was no good)---then she raised all the chicks till I removed them---she was a good mom----Had me worried to start with.

I wish you the best--in what way you decide to go!!

Yes, I doubt I will use this broody for this hatch...will have to see if she perks up and acts better to see if I will ever use her. I tried reintroduction with the first chick and she ignored it still too broody tranced, then attacked it when she awoke to get treats for herself.

To catch you up a bit on the back story, I had not touched the hen until day 23 to pull the eggs and throw them away thinking they were duds as there were no signs of chicks...I picked up one egg and heard cheeping and noticed another egg under her that had a hole and was cheeping....I immediately replaced momma who parked and parked and set and set over the next 2 days for slowly, slowly hatching chicks. The first chick hatched on night 23 and I found it abandoned beside momma chilled and gasping its last breath in the morning while she was trying to hatch the next 2. So, I pulled it to rescue.

Next day, after 24 hours of hatching effort, I found weak, stringy, chick no. 2 under momma (with a gentle lift) with last egg #3 peeping...a few hours later, chick no. 2 was stranded by the feed bowl/water with no help from momma as momma was sitting on last slowly hatching chick #3....so I pulled chick #2.

This morning (day 26), I pulled partially hatched chick #3 as it still had not hatched but was still alive, going onto 48 hours of hatching effort. Momma remains in a trance on eggs and ignores any chick in her presence...removing eggs and placing treats so she would have to move wakes momma up from her trance, but instead of taking care of the baby, offering it food and chooking to it, she just gobbled the food for herself...after she finally awoke, she attacked the re-introduced baby.

Not impressed with this hen...first timer...bantam Cochin. She is actually too docile on the nest if you go near her, no resistence, nothing. Most broodies will peck at you in protection of their brood, this gal just stares into space. Not impressed with her....have you had any like that?

LofMc
 
Yes, I doubt I will use this broody for this hatch...will have to see if she perks up and acts better to see if I will ever use her. I tried reintroduction with the first chick and she ignored it still too broody tranced, then attacked it when she awoke to get treats for herself.

To catch you up a bit on the back story, I

Not impressed with this hen...first timer...bantam Cochin. She is actually too docile on the nest if you go near her, no resistence, nothing. Most broodies will peck at you in protection of their brood, this gal just stares into space. Not impressed with her....have you had any like that?

LofMc
OK, I am on the same page now. This hen must have stayed off the nest alot or doing something to keep the heat lower for them to hatch that late----which you know chicks that hatch days late seem to have alot more problems. Give the hen one more chance------she might turn out to be your best Broody!!

I got one hen-----Game----she does almost Nothing----no pecking, real easy going---lets me pick her up off the nest if needed(if she is not broody I can not get close to her) BUT she is one of the best broody Ladys I got----usually hatching out 2/3 times a season.

Good Luck!!
 
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I will make a point to put them together as soon as I can. I tried it earlier today with #1 and #2, but #2 trembles so yet that it falls over, and #1 was pecking it too much (although it may have settled if I hadn't intervened). #3 can barely hold its head up yet...I am dropper feeding #2 and #3 almost hourly...which is helping.

This is not a happy hatch...from lackadaisical broody to trembling, shaking, curled toed chicks (especially #2 and #3). I've booted #2 and #3, which has helped. #1 seems to be the sturdiest and strongest, straight toed, and is acts like almost a normal chick now, which is why I tried re-introduction with momma to the sad end of her not taking care of it and then attacking it when she finally roused from her deep trance....I just don't think #3 will be strong enough to be left to the elements again for any length of time.

Sigh: so, I am resigned I will likely have to brood them myself, in the house.

I don't have an extra heating pad...where do you find one that doesn't automatically turn off after an hour? I have a heat lamp over the boxes with the purpose of keeping them at the right temp, and still able to hear each other. I will try to put #1 and #2 in together soon again, otherwise I may attempt #2 and #3 as they are both so wobbly. You are right that I need to integrate them quickly so they will attach and bond together....otherwise I will have to get #1 a companion as it cheeps and cheeps for company.

Ah yes, the joys of chicken keeping.
barnie.gif


What are the thoughts on this first time broody? Skewed hatch produced poor mothering behavior? Or are her instincts simply too weak? (She's back to sitting on dud eggs that I placed to keep her parked).

Thanks for input.
LofMc
I'll see what I can find as far as heating pads. Mine is an old one...maybe get one at a garage sale or from a family member that is older and keeps things. In the meantime, I'll see if I can't find a brand for you.

I probably wouldn't use this broody again for any eggs that I really wanted badly.
 
Sunbeam 756-500 Heating Pad with UltraHeatTechnology, available on Amazon if you can't find it locally.

There are also some instructions online to disable the auto off for various makes.

Thanks for looking that up...I will finish out with the heat lamp for the time being as I don't think I'll be putting these chicks back with momma unless something extraordinary takes place....so heat lamp (red light) it will have to be.

I put the 3 babies together per your suggestion...#2 and #3 are at least able to lift their heads now and they seem to be doing okay...#1 pecked a couple of times but everyone is settled and sleeping now. #3 is getting stronger. #2 worries me as it is splayed leg...it may have had some bones fuse due to being in the shell too long, or some genetic defect. Its legs do bend, so maybe there's hope.

This has not been a fun hatch...oh how I miss my old Oma San...she was a work horse and such a good momma. I'm watching the other bantam Cochin...it was not happy with having the divider moved, so I moved it back and now its back in its old broody spot that its been setting on...it does glower and squawk if you come near the nest site which makes me hope this 2nd bantam Cochin might be a better mother.

Long few days ahead as I figure out how best to manage all this. Thanks for the input.
LofMc
 
OK, I am on the same page now. This hen must have stayed off the nest alot or doing something to keep the heat lower for them to hatch that late----which you know chicks that hatch days late seem to have alot more problems. Give the hen one more chance------she might turn out to be your best Broody!!

I got one hen-----Game----she does almost Nothing----no pecking, real easy going---lets me pick her up off the nest if needed(if she is not broody I can not get close to her) BUT she is one of the best broody Ladys I got----usually hatching out 2/3 times a season.

Good Luck!!

I never saw her off the nest, and she is parked like a trooper now, so I'm pretty confident it wasn't that.

What I THINK it was is that I changed my set up in the nest box to make for better sanitation...I cut up fresh used feed bags as liners and put the pine shavings over it. I couldn't get my favorite shavings as the manufacturer had problems, so I am using a bit courser shaving over that feed bag, and those shavings refused to stay in place no matter how deep I piled it. More than once I noticed momma sitting on nothing but eggs and liner...I am now wondering if that somehow prevented an even temperature as she had no bedding around the eggs or under the eggs....that would be my guess. Am now replanning my set up again.

With a different set up, thick bedding, I might use this hen again. If the chicks had hatched properly she might have kicked into mother mode...or she is simply a poor mother...but to her credit I was re-placing an unfamiliar chick (to her as it had been gone 2 days) in broad daylight after she had awaken from a brood...so it is not surprising she attacked??? Although she went after the chick and not her sister who had been placed inside the nest box (simple flip of the divider to open the 2 sides as one)....not impressed with this hen....but I've had my good mothers chase unfamiliar chicks too.

Yes, lesson of the story, really avoid having to intervene as one solution creates another problem, but sometimes you just have to if you really want the hatch to work. I'm going back to some plain jane hatches for awhile as I'm tired of babying along special types.

Thanks for your thoughts.

LofMc
 
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I never saw her off the nest, and she is parked like a trooper now, so I'm pretty confident it wasn't that.

What I THINK it was is that I changed my set up in the nest box to make for better sanitation...I cut up fresh used feed bags as liners and put the pine shavings over it. I couldn't get my favorite shavings as the manufacturer had problems, so I am using a bit courser shaving over that feed bag, and those shavings refused to stay in place no matter how deep I piled it. More than once I noticed momma sitting on nothing but eggs and liner...I am now wondering if that somehow prevented an even temperature as she had no bedding around the eggs or under the eggs....that would be my guess. Am now replanning my set up again.

Yes, lesson of the story, really avoid having to intervene as one solution creates another problem, but sometimes you just have to if you really want the hatch to work. I'm going back to some plain jane hatches for awhile as I'm tired of babying along special types.

Thanks for your thoughts.

LofMc
Have you ever tried plain pine straw for your nesting material? It works good-----really better than hay.
 
Have you ever tried plain pine straw for your nesting material? It works good-----really better than hay.

Pine straw? I know straw, which I don't like as it always molds in my humid Oregon...but what is pine straw?

Fisherlady suggested sand in a tray, and I might try that, with pine shavings over it....my problem is hay or shavings over the wood...you get broken cracked eggs when they thunk.

I had a nesting insert, but alas little chicks would tumble out and get stranded the first day or so causing issues, and then this silly hen wouldn't use it so I took it out.

The wood gets filthy, making hard to keep clean, so I like cleaning it then covering with the feed bag liner...I think I may go to the boot tray with sand as the sand might hold it down well enough...or I will build up the box again and let the occasional chick fall where he may.

Do you use pine straw on hard wood? Do you have a photo of your nest box itself?

Thanks for your input!
LofMc
 
Here are the 3 little Isbar rescues in their brooder box...2 with little boots for splayed toes...little Blackie was eating on its own today and hobbling a bit better (one leg still tries to shoot out)...Little Cream is holding its own, looking stronger (today was its official hatch day)...Blue looks pretty good...eating and drinking and a LOT happier with siblings in the box...they all fell asleep together. Whew, silence at last. (thank you @bumpercarr for the advice to put them in if they can hold their head up...they are a lot happier even wobbling together).

LofMc

 

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