Old Fashioned Broody Hen Hatch A Long and Informational Thread

[h2oratt]

Yes I did follow directions on this thread. I did it at night. I have been gathering eggs. Leaving the fake eggs in her box. I took the fake eggs to the new box have a pen around it. No other birds around she left it in the middle of the night

 

[Molpet]

Yes I did follow directions on this thread. I did it at night. I have been gathering eggs. Leaving the fake eggs in her box. I took the fake eggs to the new box have a pen around it. No other birds around she left it in the middle of the night

lock her in a dog crate

 

[nchls school]

Yes I did follow directions on this thread. I did it at night. I have been gathering eggs. Leaving the fake eggs in her box. I took the fake eggs to the new box have a pen around it. No other birds around she left it in the middle of the night

Some hens will not accept a move. If possible let her brood in her original nest.

 

[Catandherchicks]

Day 22 and I'll still waiting. I'm refraining myself and only checking every 2 hours. The only good news is that this morning she pooped in the kiddie pool with pine shavings/nursery instead of the dog crate/nest like before. She's making quiet noises hopefully encouraging the chick out. OK - so patience isn't my strong suit.

 

[nchls school]

Day 22 and I'll still waiting. I'm refraining myself and only checking every 2 hours. The only good news is that this morning she pooped in the kiddie pool with pine shavings/nursery instead of the dog crate/nest like before. She's making quiet noises hopefully encouraging the chick out. Quite possible. Checking that often could cause problems. I know so well how hard that is, but looking often can result in DIS or upsetting the hen to where she accidentally or purposely ruins the eggs. OK - so patience isn't my strong suit.

If you watch from a distance you will see the hen shifting her body and clucking softly when the chick has hatched. Every time the chick chirps the hen will show that behavior. Good luck.

 

[Catandherchicks]

[COLOR=FF0000]If you watch from a distance you will see the hen shifting her body and clucking softly when the chick has hatched. Every time the chick chirps the hen will show that behavior. Good luck.[/COLOR]

OK. Thanks for the info. I'll refrain from checking for the rest of the day. (I'll HAVE to check in the evening though.)

 

[lwiese58]

[COLOR=FF0000]If you watch from a distance you will see the hen shifting her body and clucking softly when the chick has hatched. Every time the chick chirps the hen will show that behavior. Good luck.[/COLOR]

How often is too often?

 

[nchls school]

How often is too often?

I assume you mean checking under a brooding hen. When I have a hatch I look morning, noon, and night. Most of my hens are extremely tame. With the wilder ones I do not look at all. My biggest reason for checking, actually two, are that I have saved chicks when a hatched shell fit itself over an unhatched egg making it impossible for the chick to break free and to assist any where the shell was crushed accidentally.

 

[nchls school]

OK. Thanks for the info. I'll refrain from checking for the rest of the day. (I'll HAVE to check in the evening though.)

Just be fast. Oh and by the way, my wife has to practically tie my hands together to keep ME from looking and I absolutely know what could result because of my impatience/curiosity.

 

[PD-Riverman]

OK. Thanks for the info. I'll refrain from checking for the rest of the day. (I'll HAVE to check in the evening though.)

How are you checking?? You are not looking under her are you?