Old Fashioned Broody Hen Hatch A Long and Informational Thread

[puppies9099]

Silkies have been my most trusted broody hens
they can hatch up to 20 eggs if you let them LOL

But sometimes the chicks don't make it
They either come out weak, half dead, with a deformation, eye problems, or other problems

 

[puppies9099]

The terrible thing about letting broody hens sit on eggs is the chicks hate you and run at the sight of you

 

[tjo804]

The terrible thing about letting broody hens sit on eggs is the chicks hate you and run at the sight of you

Ummm Yes, I agree I thought it was a problem with me.

 

[puppies9099]

It is always a problem unless the hen is super duper friendly

 

[fisherlady]

Silkies have been my most trusted broody hens
they can hatch up to 20 eggs if you let them LOL

But sometimes the chicks don't make it
They either come out weak, half dead, with a deformation, eye problems, or other problems

I don't believe a silkie can successfully incubate 20 eggs...she may sit on the nest but if she can't completely cover the eggs then the eggs do not get the heat they need to develop correctly.

 

[puppies9099]

I have never tried one has hatched 16 eggs succesfully
if 2 silkies sat on 20 eggs then they would all hatch

 

[fisherlady]

The terrible thing about letting broody hens sit on eggs is the chicks hate you and run at the sight of you

Getting broodies and chicks to come to people is possible, though some hens may be more difficult... it takes time, patience repetition and lots of treats. We set and hatch an average of 30 broody hatches a year and those chicks are often under foot by the time they are about a week old. It doesn't take them long to figure out were the goodies come from. With more difficult hens it may be two weeks (and more time sitting on the ground to offer bribes). The chicks aren't 'lap chickens' but that hasn't been our goal, but they come running when we walk outside and don't freak with average handling...

 

[tjo804]

Quote:
What kind of treats do you offer?
The Broody wont let her chicks touch any of the food or treats I offer until I close the door to the brooding coop.

 

[fisherlady]

What kind of treats do you offer?
The Broody wont let her chicks touch any of the food or treats I offer until I close the door to the brooding coop.

All of our birds are given a mix of finch seed with dried meal worms as a treat when they are tiny, a tablespoon or two sprinkled on the sand in their area for the broody to scratch for them, and a dish with scrambled egg mixed with about a tablespoon of their chick starter and hulled sunflower chips. It doesn't take long for them to start seeing our arrival as a great thing.
We will sit nearby on floor while they eat and then start offering them the same from our hand held flat at floor level, eventually a brave one (or the broody) will eat from our hand. Do not try to touch them or pick them up when they do or you will ruin your progress. They will get better with exposure..

 

[tjo804]

Quote:
Sounds very much the same thing we do with the Farrel Kittens.

I can do that

Thank you for the tips