Old Fashioned Broody Hen Hatch A Long and Informational Thread

[ambe0487]

Oh, our dogs do that too

But Mindy loves the chicks, and the broodies are so used to her that they aren't even phased by it.
A few of her older shots...

Awe, to cute!

 

[ambe0487]

e

Thanks, I talk to mine all the time when I incubate but wasn't sure if momma really did. Oh fingers crossed for babies tomorrow! How sweet about your dog! My dog doesn't care one way or another about my chickens other than eating their poop!

when I went to let them all out this morning there were 3 small pips and one that is a bit larger! I heard cheeping! e

 

[fisherlady]

e
when I went to let them all out this morning there were 3 small pips and one that is a bit larger! I heard cheeping! e

You will be seeing chicks soon then!

 

[2 Russo Chicks]

Yah!!

 

[A2Kzoo2]

Not happy with the % success rate. This is the last time I use a full sized broody (my silkies have much better success). I gave her 10 eggs, 8 hatched (2 infertile) 4 got squished... 4 survived.

 

[ChickenCanoe]

I always have good rates with broodies and they've always been LF. I even had a turkey hatch a bunch of my eggs, though she did crush one.

Poor hatch rates with setting hens left to their own devices (not disturbed during incubation) would more likely be due to breeder nutrition or inbreeding.

 

[A2Kzoo2]

I always have good rates with broodies and they've always been LF. I even had a turkey hatch a bunch of my eggs, though she did crush one.

Poor hatch rates with setting hens left to their own devices (not disturbed during incubation) would more likely be due to breeder nutrition or inbreeding.

In my case, she was literally clumsy. A problem I've never had with my silkies. I'm at a 90% survival rate with my silkie girls, but every time I've had a group hatch under a full sized hen, I've lost at least 1 to being stepped on within the first day. This was the worst hatch I've had so far (still easier than incubators). Of the 10 eggs 80% hatched (2 infertile). 100% of the fertile eggs hatched, but 50% were literally smashed by mom. Other 4 are doing great.

 

[ameliadanielle]

I've switched to using hay instead of aspen shavings in the nest boxes. I've had a LOT less eggs get squished by my big fat girls.

 

[2 Russo Chicks]

A2Kzoo2 I am sorry about the ones that didn't make it. Was she a first time momma? I am not sure if that would make a difference. But the four that did make it sure are cuties.

 

[2 Russo Chicks]

Chickencanoe what does LF stand for?