Old Fashioned Broody Hen Hatch A Long and Informational Thread

[Catandherchicks]

Sad news. Today is day 20 and the hen threw one egg out. It must have stopped talking as it was fully feathered but still curled up and the eggshell was in little pieces all over it. She somehow (I don't want to visualize it) got it over 3 feet away into the kiddie pool set up as the nursery. I sat and watched her and she's out of her coma, sitting on the egg preening her feathers and tidying up the nest, pulling hay toward her and throwing individual pieces over her shoulder. I'm hoping that means the other egg will hatch right on time tomorrow and I'll hear little peeps in the morning. Oh, and her half sister went broody today.

 

[fisherlady]

Sad news. Today is day 20 and the hen threw one egg out. It must have stopped talking as it was fully feathered but still curled up and the eggshell was in little pieces all over it. She somehow (I don't want to visualize it) got it over 3 feet away into the kiddie pool set up as the nursery. I sat and watched her and she's out of her coma, sitting on the egg preening her feathers and tidying up the nest, pulling hay toward her and throwing individual pieces over her shoulder. I'm hoping that means the other egg will hatch right on time tomorrow and I'll hear little peeps in the morning. Oh, and her half sister went broody today.

Sorry to hear she rejected it, she must have felt something was wrong... hoping the last egg survives

 

[Catandherchicks]

Sorry to hear she rejected it, she must have felt something was wrong... hoping the last egg survives

That's what I figure. Nature's cull. I'll be going to the shop at first light - even before coffee.

 

[vpatt]

Every one of my Broodies is placed in a private pen. I have around 15 pre-made/private pens to place broodies in. Most people will not need that many but I have had 21 broodies at the same time and I had to add extra broody pens. I was a chick seller so the more the merry. I think the broodies gave me around 500 chicks last season. Your hen/broody seems to have a great set-up now---if the rooster would stay out her nest. Most all broodies will not poop in their nest but I am sure the rooster adds plenty while he is in there. I would just leave her in there and separate him from her or fix it where he can not get to her or her nest. Good Luck

Thanks, each day that goes by leaves less hope for hatching.......but i am unsure of the date so i will wait a few more days. I will get a few more hens thwt are more likely to go broody and try again.

 

[h2oratt]

What feed should I have in there with the broody. I have her in her own pen in a cat litter box. Is ok to keep her on layer pellets?

 

[PD-Riverman]

Thanks, each day that goes by leaves less hope for hatching.......but i am unsure of the date so i will wait a few more days. I will get a few more hens thwt are more likely to go broody and try again.

Let me tell you what I do. I collect eggs every day from EVERY nest---no matter if a hen is in it----I get them. If I got a hen that is staying on the nest---wanting to be broody and I want her to---after a couple days----I mark and put the eggs under her that I chose, remove the fake eggs and FOR SURE write down her "hatch" date. If you are not going to move her check under her every day and remove any new layed/unmarked eggs. In 21 days your broody will hatch. Makes life/hatching so much simplier. Good Luck!

 

[fisherlady]

What feed should I have in there with the broody. I have her in her own pen in a cat litter box. Is ok to keep her on layer pellets?

Laying feed is fine, ours usually just get whatever the rest of the coop is on...you can certainly switch her to a higher protein chick starter if you want, since she is eating less often and the calcium isn't needed while she isn't laying eggs.

 

[h2oratt]

I moved my broody last night to a litter box with pine shaving and some eggs she is in her own area. Put a towel over the door . I went back at midnight and she was gone. She was on the roof of the main chicken hutch. She went broody in the main nest box and the other birds are not happy. They all want to lay their eggs in this main box. Should I lock her in a dog crate? Should I just leave her in the main nest box? She is a hatchery cucko Maran. She quit laying about three days ago.

 

[PD-Riverman]

I moved my broody last night to a litter box with pine shaving and some eggs she is in her own area. Put a towel over the door . I went back at midnight and she was gone. She was on the roof of the main chicken hutch. She went broody in the main nest box and the other birds are not happy. They all want to lay their eggs in this main box. Should I lock her in a dog crate? Should I just leave her in the main nest box? She is a hatchery cucko Maran. She quit laying about three days ago.

How did you go about moving her? Most hens want go for scooping them up and placing them in a cage. If you want to stop/break her broodiness---yes you can lock her in a wire bottom elevated cage. If you want her to stay broody let her back into her original nest and try moving her again in a night or two with a little more instructions----if you didn't follow a good plan when you moved her this time. Good Luck

 

[vpatt]

Let me tell you what I do. I collect eggs every day from EVERY nest---no matter if a hen is in it----I get them. If I got a hen that is staying on the nest---wanting to be broody and I want her to---after a couple days----I mark and put the eggs under her that I chose, remove the fake eggs and FOR SURE write down her "hatch" date. If you are not going to move her check under her every day and remove any new layed/unmarked eggs. In 21 days your broody will hatch. Makes life/hatching so much simplier. Good Luck!

That sounds about like what i was doing for other hatches.......since this nest was harder for me to reach i just let her keep laying eggs......i doubt i will do that again. And i have usually writtten down hatch doubts on the calendar, but not this time. I will be sure to mark my calendar from now on.

I just found out that i will probably have a ride to the Gilmanor sale......i can't wait! Oh, that is a Virginia thing, oops. But i hear it is really great so i should find something there to bring home.