Old Fashioned Broody Hen Hatch A Long and Informational Thread

[Curnow]

I will try to get some pictures in the next few days. It's a work in progress. We purchased the family farm when my father in law passed away a few years ago, so we are working with old chicken houses. We built a nice new fence and gates, and hope to do more updates as time allows.

I'm hoping to set more Easter Egger and Light Brahma eggs. Our roosters are both still in with all the hens, so I will be another surprise batch if the two really are broody. I am so excited to see what the little chick that is Spitzhauben over Light Brahma grows out to look like....and hoping it's a pullet!

I just love looking at all the pictures on here....can't get enough!

 

[jaymejojos]

4 outta 11 so far. We had a problem with other hens sneaking their eggs under Gertie so now we think we have a clutch of eggs that all have different hatch days! We'll wait and see what she decides to do.

 

[kharmon320]

I'm inexperienced, but just curious about "checking" on the broody hen frequently as they hatch. I placed 10 fertile eggs under my Wyandotte 20 days ago. I know there are 2 chicks so far this morning, but don't really want to aggravate the hen too much. However, it seems a lot of people comment about checking on progress, etc. Is it okay to lift her up and check?

I would really love to know which chicks are hatching out of which eggs as it's a mixture of Ameraucana eggs and the rest are Ameraucana crosses with Buff Orpington, Barred Rock, Black Sex Link. I saw one egg that has hatched is light brown.

 

[PD-Riverman]

I'm inexperienced, but just curious about "checking" on the broody hen frequently as they hatch. I placed 10 fertile eggs under my Wyandotte 20 days ago. I know there are 2 chicks so far this morning, but don't really want to aggravate the hen too much. However, it seems a lot of people comment about checking on progress, etc. Is it okay to lift her up and check?

I would really love to know which chicks are hatching out of which eggs as it's a mixture of Ameraucana eggs and the rest are Ameraucana crosses with Buff Orpington, Barred Rock, Black Sex Link. I saw one egg that has hatched is light brown.

Even if you seen which chick came out of which egg---which means you would have to be doing a lot of looking----how you going to keep them separated, when they dry they will change colors some.

Only thing I can tell you is """I""" would Never(not 1 time) tilt/look under one of My broodies the last 3 days---during her hatch--causes the moisture to escape---like opening a incubator during lock-down. Some Do, some have problems afterwards, some don't. I never have problems because I don't----Good Luck

 

[lwiese58]

I believe I read on here that once the hen gets off the nest with hatched chicks, she is done with the remaining eggs. Is that the general consensus on here?

 

[butterfliesdoku]

I believe I read on here that once the hen gets off the nest with hatched chicks, she is done with the remaining eggs.  Is that the general consensus on here[COLOR=000000]?[/COLOR]

One of my hens last year hatched ONE chick and got off the nest with that chick and wanted nothing more to do with her remaining eggs.

 

[kharmon320]

Even if you seen which chick came out of which egg---which means you would have to be doing a lot of looking----how you going to keep them separated, when they dry they will change colors some.

Only thing I can tell you is """I""" would Never(not 1 time) tilt/look under one of My broodies the last 3 days---during her hatch--causes the moisture to escape---like opening a incubator during lock-down. Some Do, some have problems afterwards, some don't. I never have problems because I don't----Good Luck

Thanks for the advice. I understand what you're saying about humidity,etc. I've left her alone. Are most hatches complete within 48 hours? I placed the eggs under her April 10. I saw 2 chicks this morning, but no more since then. I'm only looking into the box not moving her.

 

[PD-Riverman]

Thanks for the advice. I understand what you're saying about humidity,etc. I've left her alone. Are most hatches complete within 48 hours? I placed the eggs under her April 10. I saw 2 chicks this morning, but no more since then. I'm only looking into the box not moving her.

Usually, but if you put the eggs under her the 10th----today is only day 20, which some can and will hatch early. Just let her set----she should have most hatched by late day 21. BUT I would just leave her alone----do not offer food or water to the chicks----they will be fine for a few days without either, she will be fine. If she finishes tomorrow she will probably try to bring the chicks off the nest late tomorrow or the next day. Good Luck. If you got questions feel free to ask.

 

[PD-Riverman]

I believe I read on here that once the hen gets off the nest with hatched chicks, she is done with the remaining eggs. Is that the general consensus on here?

Not always for some people. All my broody hens are through when they get off their nest with the hatched chicks!! All the eggs that were hatchable----were hatched.

 

[ameliadanielle]

I have an early hatcher under my broody. All eggs she is sitting on were laid on a Sunday, she went broody on that Sunday. I wasn't expecting chicks until tomorrow. Saturday would make day 19 if they were started on a Sunday right?