Old Fashioned Broody Hen Hatch A Long and Informational Thread

[PD-Riverman]

How often is too often?

If you lift or tilt a broody hen the last 3 days to see under her------"ONE" time is to Often---In my opinion. I leave ALL My Many Broodys alone during that time and They all hatch and all hatch on time.

 

[PD-Riverman]

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.

If she got off the eggs on day 22 to poop-----that for sure is not a good thing. Do you have food and water next to her nest so she can eat/drink without getting off the nest?

 

[Catandherchicks]

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

Nope. Just sitting about 5' away and quietly telling her what a good and pretty chicken she is. She doesn't seem upset. After a minute or two she starts preening her chest feathers. When she gets to her wing feathers she lifts up a bit and I can see it's still a whole egg. She settles back and I leave (in disappointment). Only 2 more hours till sunset and final check of the day.

 

[Catandherchicks]

If she got off the eggs on day 22 to poop-----that for sure is not a good thing. Do you have food and water next to her nest so she can eat/drink without getting off the nest?

Oh no! It's about 3' away in the kiddie pool. It looked like perhaps she ate some of the chick starter or was looking for mealworms cuz that's where I'd been putting them and maybe a little bit of water. I didn't mark it so it's hard to tell. Now I want to run out there right now!

 

[PD-Riverman]

Oh no! It's about 3' away in the kiddie pool. It looked like perhaps she ate some of the chick starter or was looking for mealworms cuz that's where I'd been putting them and maybe a little bit of water. I didn't mark it so it's hard to tell. Now I want to run out there right now!

No, if you do not have it close to her----you doing all you can do. Just makes me wonder why she would get off the nest----I wondered if she knows something we do not know. See out of 67 broody hens that I set/hatched in a little over a year---none got off the nest the last 3 days. I am sure it could happen but not with mine---Yet. They set tight and all 67 hatched on time. Good Luck!

 

[lwiese58]

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.

Ok, I must have missed part of the question, then, I was thinking that by "checking" it meant just looking in on her. Our broody is in our basement and I go in there several times a day and look to be sure she's alright. I haven't seen her up or out of the nest box at all yet, though. Being her first time I'm so concerned she is just sitting there, not turning them or stretching her legs at all. I have put a small bowl of water in with her which she does seem to be drinking a little of, and she has eaten a few grapes and a bit of scratch mixed with dry oatmeal. I'm wondering this, will she stop being broody after 21 days or, if the chicks don't hatch, will we have to break her of it?

Now I don't remember who stated they were able to see their broody hen turn the eggs by putting a camera nearby. Does anyone have a suggestion as to recommended cams? I'd like to order one.

 

[nchls school]

No, if you do not have it close to her----you doing all you can do. Just makes me wonder why she would get off the nest----I wondered if she knows something we do not know. See out of 67 broody hens that I set/hatched in a little over a year---none got off the nest the last 3 days.I witness my hens taking short breaks even when the eggs have pipped. My hatch rate is 80-90%. Different breeds-different behaviors. I am sure it could happen but not with mine---Yet. They set tight and all 67 hatched on time. Good Luck!

 

[nchls school]

Ok, I must have missed part of the question, then, I was thinking that by "checking" it meant just looking in on her. Our broody is in our basement and I go in there several times a day and look to be sure she's alright. I haven't seen her up or out of the nest box at all yet, though. Being her first time I'm so concerned she is just sitting there, not turning them or stretching her legs at all. I have put a small bowl of water in with her which she does seem to be drinking a little of, and she has eaten a few grapes and a bit of scratch mixed with dry oatmeal. I'm wondering this, will she stop being broody after 21 days or, if the chicks don't hatch, will we have to break her of it?More than likely she will continue to brood. Plan on breaking her of being broody.

Now I don't remember who stated they were able to see their broody hen turn the eggs by putting a camera nearby. Does anyone have a suggestion as to recommended cams? I'd like to order one.

 

[h2oratt]

Ok tried again last night. She stayed all night and all day. I have her in a cat litter box with a hood. I have a dog pen around that so the other chickens don't bother her. I have a pail of water and layer pellets outside the cat litter box. I don't need to put them in the box do I? Doesn't she need to get out once a day and poop? I see no poop in the pen so I guess she hasn't gotten out today. That is a little concerning.

 

[nchls school]

If you lift or tilt a broody hen the last 3 days to see under her------"ONE" time is to Often---In my opinion. I leave ALL My Many Broodys alone during that time and They all hatch and all hatch on time.

I check mine three times a day with a quick lift of the breast during hatch. I believe it pays to be vigilant. I have saved a number of chicks by doing so. We each do what works for us.

Note-I have a hen hatching this weekend. Very fearful and nervous. Getting near her would be a disaster. This one is strictly hands off.