Old Fashioned Broody Hen Hatch A Long and Informational Thread

[nchls school]

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

My hens are very tame. They bring their chicks to me. And, at times, it's a nuisance. I have to watch every step and push birds away so I can fill feeders and waterers.

 

[Kassaundra]

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.

Boiled eggs, never had a broody, chick or chicken refuse to eat even from my hand.

 

[nchls school]

Boiled eggs, never had a broody, chick or chicken refuse to eat even from my hand.

X 2. Nothing drives the chickens into a feeding frenzy as much as hard boiled egg; worms are a close second.

 

[puppies9099]

That is true I have had some really super duper friendly chickens from broody hens.

 

[tjo804]

Quote:
Do you smash em or offer whole?

 

[puppies9099]

Please join my fun thread about guessing birds I am trying to make this thread a winner
https://www.backyardchickens.com/t/1072913/guess-the-bird

 

[journey11]

Little mama did a good job! She went back to her nest quickly after things quieted down from the move. She must not have been setting as long as I thought while she was gone. It was 2 weeks ago when I moved her. I really did have to move her so DH could get back to chopping firewood and so my 3 cats wouldn't find her.

So we have one little coal black chick this afternoon. Born on the coldest day we've had so far this winter. She had 4 viable eggs out of originally 14 in the clutch and so far only one has hatched. She's been teaching the little one how to eat and drink, but has kept sitting on the other 3 eggs most of the time too. I saw 2 had cracks in them when she got up, but no hole from pipping. How much longer do you think I should wait to see if they'll hatch?
This is my first ever broody hatch. What a rush of pure delight hit me when I saw this first baby had arrived.

(The scratch seeds in her dish have been replaced with chick starter. She jumped up and gave me a nice photo op when I came to change her feed and water.

)

 

[nchls school]

Little mama did a good job! She went back to her nest quickly after things quieted down from the move. She must not have been setting as long as I thought while she was gone. It was 2 weeks ago when I moved her. I really did have to move her so DH could get back to chopping firewood and so my 3 cats wouldn't find her.

So we have one little coal black chick this afternoon. Born on the coldest day we've had so far this winter. She had 4 viable eggs out of originally 14 in the clutch and so far only one has hatched. She's been teaching the little one how to eat and drink, but has kept sitting on the other 3 eggs most of the time too. I saw 2 had cracks in them when she got up, but no hole from pipping. How much longer do you think I should wait to see if they'll hatch?
This is my first ever broody hatch. What a rush of pure delight hit me when I saw this first baby had arrived.

(The scratch seeds in her dish have been replaced with chick starter. She jumped up and gave me a nice photo op when I came to change her feed and water.

)

Cracks from hatching or damaged? I do not know if you have hatched chicks before. Often pip marks appear as small cracks and not holes. I wish I could see the eggs better in the picture.

 

[journey11]

Yeah, this is my first hatch ever and an unexpected one at that. I've had chickens for several years, but this is the first time I've kept roosters long enough to get babies. I just went out to check on them and there doesn't seem to be any advancement in those 3 eggs. One is not cracked at all, one is cracked randomly on one side and the other is cracked toward the pointy end, so maybe she stepped on them. I put them to my ear and heard nothing. How long should I wait to be sure? I'd like to move them to a better brooding area soon.

 

[nchls school]

Yeah, this is my first hatch ever and an unexpected one at that. I've had chickens for several years, but this is the first time I've kept roosters long enough to get babies. I just went out to check on them and there doesn't seem to be any advancement in those 3 eggs. One is not cracked at all, one is cracked randomly on one side and the other is cracked toward the pointy end, so maybe she stepped on them. I put them to my ear and heard nothing. How long should I wait to be sure? I'd like to move them to a better brooding area soon.

Candle the eggs before you toss them. Most likely those with cracks are done for. When you candle look for internal pipping and listen for cheeping.