Old Fashioned Broody Hen Hatch A Long and Informational Thread

[PD-Riverman]

When people talk about abandoning the nest what does that entail?

I put 8 eggs under a broody hen last Saturday. She got off them and went into the yard the first day for a few hours, another hen went in and laid an egg there and broke one of the fertile eggs. Every day she leaves the next for about 2-3 hours and walks around the yard. Is that normal?

No its not normal for a dedicated broody!! Did you move her to a new nest and put these 8 eggs under her?? Another hen might have been on her nest so she took a egg and moved it to another nest.

 

[PD-Riverman]

@checker1981 I am new to chickens, but my BO went broody and I watched her in the nest box for several weeks before I put eggs under her - she is now 8 1/2 months old - I took her out each day before and during the setting process. She was never out of the nest for more than 20 minutes.

Just for information----You Do Not need to take her off the nest and "I" would Not. She will get off when She wants to!

 

[Coop de Grass]

@PD-Riverman , I read that taking them out once a day to eat and drink was alright, and she didn't fuss at all, so I continued. She is in very good health. I've also heard that if you leave them on the nest and they don't eat or drink, their condition deteriorates. Have you had this happen?

I don't intend to move her and the chicks until she is out of the nest - thus the dog crate

 

[fisherlady]

@PD-Riverman , I read that taking them out once a day to eat and drink was alright, and she didn't fuss at all, so I continued. She is in very good health. I've also heard that if you leave them on the nest and they don't eat or drink, their condition deteriorates. Have you had this happen?

I don't intend to move her and the chicks until she is out of the nest - thus the dog crate

Deteriorating can happen, but is rare if the hen was healthy and parasite free before brooding and she didn't get parasites while setting. Some hens tolerate people interference/assistance quite well, others don't, use your best judgement based on coop environment and hen temperament. Sometimes situations in coops cause folks to have to provide a smaller than ideal enclosed area and they have to get the hen out themselves daily, this isn't ideal at all, but everyone's situation/set up is different. Hen's will get up on their own when needed if their environment allows.
I do suggest checking a hen for weight loss, condition issues or parasites if you notice anything out of the ordinary with her while setting and provide intervention as needed.

 

[fisherlady]

@checker1981 I am new to chickens, but my BO went broody and I watched her in the nest box for several weeks before I put eggs under her - she is now 8 1/2 months old - I took her out each day before and during the setting process. She was never out of the nest for more than 20 minutes.

@fisherlady I have been fascinated at watching Buffy rotate her eggs. How would she move it from one nest box to another? I am going to look for videos!

I have witnessed my hens moving eggs, they either shuffle it up under their wing to carry it or tuck it under their chin to pick it up and carry it. They also roll them quite a distance and very quickly when they want.

I could use some advice on when to move the new mom and babies. I am not happy with the set up right now. I put an old dog crate in the coop around her nest box, but once the hatch is done how long do I have to wait?

Once chicks are out the new family can be moved. A hen is much more agreeable to moving once she has a mobile fluffy butt to look after.

 

[PD-Riverman]

@PD-Riverman , I read that taking them out once a day to eat and drink was alright, and she didn't fuss at all, so I continued. She is in very good health. I've also heard that if you leave them on the nest and they don't eat or drink, their condition deteriorates. Have you had this happen?

I don't intend to move her and the chicks until she is out of the nest - thus the dog crate

As I said---I would Not and You Do Not Need to Take Her Off the Nest, she will come off when she wants----she will not starve to death-----But she is yours and you can take her off as often as you want. Let me add---Please do not take her off the nest the last 3 days---19/20/21 while she is hatching----its best during that time to keep Hands Off---let her hatch---even tilting her to see under her causes moisture to escape that she might need to hatch her babies. Good Luck!

 

[nchls school]

Deteriorating can happen, but is rare if the hen was healthy and parasite free before brooding and she didn't get parasites while setting. Some hens tolerate people interference/assistance quite well, others don't, use your best judgement based on coop environment and hen temperament. Sometimes situations in coops cause folks to have to provide a smaller than ideal enclosed area and they have to get the hen out themselves daily, this isn't ideal at all, but everyone's situation/set up is different. Hen's will get up on their own when needed if their environment allows.
I do suggest checking a hen for weight loss, condition issues or parasites if you notice anything out of the ordinary with her while setting and provide intervention as needed.

X2. Some of my hens accept my handling with no protest or any sign of distress while others get so upset that chicks and eggs are endangered by handling. Those I leave strictly alone unless absolutely necessary.

 

[chickenmomma16]

When I went to tuck all my chickens in for the night momma hen decided it was time to start roosting at the ripe old age of 3 1/2 weeks. And this is why I love raising chicks with a broody hen! They teach the chicks all the important things about being a chicken instead of waiting until they are 16 weeks for instinct to kick in and not sleep in a pile on the floor.


Just wanted to share!

 

[nchls school]

When I went to tuck all my chickens in for the night momma hen decided it was time to start roosting at the ripe old age of 3 1/2 weeks. And this is why I love raising chicks with a broody hen! They teach the chicks all the important things about being a chicken instead of waiting until they are 16 weeks for instinct to kick in and not sleep in a pile on the floor.


Just wanted to share!

X 2

 

[fisherlady]

When I went to tuck all my chickens in for the night momma hen decided it was time to start roosting at the ripe old age of 3 1/2 weeks. And this is why I love raising chicks with a broody hen! They teach the chicks all the important things about being a chicken instead of waiting until they are 16 weeks for instinct to kick in and not sleep in a pile on the floor.


Just wanted to share!

Looks like she is giving them a great start! I completely agree that broody raising is a great way to bring little ones into the flock, much, much simpler to let mama do the teaching!