Old Fashioned Broody Hen Hatch A Long and Informational Thread

[nchls school]

Although she could easily cover 6-8 eggs judging by the pic you have to keep in mind that with cold weather hatches the hen will be warming a lot of little bodies, and they won't be little for long. I tend to reduce hatch sizes by about 25% in cold temps to keep plenty of room under the hen for chick warming. I would aim for 4-6 chicks for a medium hen in winter.

X2. Having a heated coop I did not consider winter conditions.

 

[ChickenCanoe]

How do you heat your coop and why?

 

[nchls school]

How do you heat your coop and why?

Wisconsin-20 to 30 below-serama/Japanese bantams. Serama/Japanese and Wisconsin winter do not work as these birds are not cold hardy. I also have other bird species that can not take severe cold. Electric-sealed oil heater placed inside a cupboard and cleaned often. During our coldest weather I have the heater set so the temperature does not drop below 40 degrees F.

 

[Lady of McCamley]

Wisconsin-20 to 30 below-serama/Japanese bantams. Serama/Japanese and Wisconsin winter do not work as these birds are not cold hardy. I also have other bird species that can not take severe cold. Electric-sealed oil heater placed inside a cupboard and cleaned often. During our coldest weather I have the heater set so the temperature does not drop below 40 degrees F.

Sounds cozy and a good solution for extreme temperatures.

My poor birds have to make due in an unheated coop...but we stay mostly in the temperate 40's with periodic dips into the 30's, only the occasional dip into the 20's or teens like we've had this last week. They seem to be handling the snow and freezing rain fairly well...even momma and the chicks...but boy, will I have some serious coop cleaning to do when the thaw hits.

LofMc

 

[vpatt]

Well guess what? When i went out to tuck everyone in for the night i found one of the red girls on the porch in a milk carton on two eggs. I will wait a couple days to see if she is serious and then trade her two eggs for about 4-6. I can move her into the dog crate, but that milk carton needs to be set on its side.....i dont think there is room with it upright for hatching and for chicks. Any suggestions? Should i try turning it tonight or wait a few days?

 

[fisherlady]

Well guess what? When i went out to tuck everyone in for the night i found one of the red girls on the porch in a milk carton on two eggs. I will wait a couple days to see if she is serious and then trade her two eggs for about 4-6. I can move her into the dog crate, but that milk carton needs to be set on its side.....i dont think there is room with it upright for hatching and for chicks. Any suggestions? Should i try turning it tonight or wait a few days?

If you can catch her out and about I would turn it on its side and let her come back to it and settle, then move her later when dark and you can keep her covered until she settles.

 

[vpatt]

If you can catch her out and about I would turn it on its side and let her come back to it and settle, then move her later when dark and you can keep her covered until she settles.

Good idea, I'll watch tomorrow and see if she moves. Thank you.

I am not sure what to do if i dont catch her off the nest. I've never had one choose a spot like this before.

 

[fisherlady]

Good idea, I'll watch tomorrow and see if she moves. Thank you.

I am not sure what to do if i dont catch her off the nest. I've never had one choose a spot like this before.

You can still oust her manually, just let her see you toss down a handful of treat nearby...it will only take a few moments to lay it over. Our hens don't care if we mess with the nest as long as it is in the same location and they have the same view when they get back into it. It is when the physical location changes (and their views) that they fuss about it...hence the use of a blanket over her nest to keep it dark and quiet the first day after a move.

 

[vpatt]

You can still oust her manually, just let her see you toss down a handful of treat nearby...it will only take a few moments to lay it over. Our hens don't care if we mess with the nest as long as it is in the same location and they have the same view when they get back into it. It is when the physical location changes (and their views) that they fuss about it...hence the use of a blanket over her nest to keep it dark and quiet the first day after a move.

Thanks Fisherlady I'll see how it goes. Brrr......wow did the weather ever change, it is in the teens this morning!

 

[tjo804]

Good Morning
I hope everyone is staying warm we are at 32 deg F. this morning. Burrrr