Old Fashioned Broody Hen Hatch A Long and Informational Thread

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fisherlady said:
Outside temp in low 20s, inside coop temp a couple degrees warmer, and broody has her littles out for a stretch and a bite to eat on the sand floor...
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My dog is also excellent with the chickens. I'm curious to see whether my broody Mama will charge her and attack because she was not raised around the dog. I will watch closely to make sure everyone behaves. I have no fears about the dog, she has been around broodies with chicks before. The dog is more interested in the extra nibbles that the chicks and Mama sometimes get.
 
I love seeing animals all co-existing! I know it makes a big difference when they are all raised together, and definitely it is good to introduce baby animals to dogs and teach them that they are not dinner!
Before we moved, we had one major chicken incident involving a couple of our dogs who got outside while we we were gone one day. We ended up only bringing 4 chickens with us to our new place, then added a new rooster a couple weeks later, so we had 5. When we got our order the following spring, we built a large indoor brooder, and raised them inside with the dogs. After we moved them outside, for a little while, I would only let the dogs out after gathering the chickens up and locking them in the run. One day it was all out mutiny, and I finaly said, "Fine, stay out! But if the dogs kill you it is your own fault!". I let the dogs out, and all was well. Which is what we were aiming for brooding them inside. One tried to jump at them 3 times, but a firm "Taza, no!" stopped her dead in her tracks each time, and that was that. I was surprised because she was one of the ones who killed and ate the chickens before. She has never bothered them since.
 
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Hey guys! I have a question. We have a broody who's eggs are due to hatch at anytime. Tomorrow will be her 21 days. I know by reading on some of them forums that the days could be off a little. Should I be checking her eggs?
 
sbeth said:
Hey guys! I have a question. We have a broody who's eggs are due to hatch at anytime. Tomorrow will be her 21 days. I know by reading on some of them forums that the days could be off a little. Should I be checking her eggs?
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don't disturb her until at least later day 22 or 23. Lifting her to check causes loss of humidity just like opening an incubator. You can possibly actually hurt the hatch. I prefer hands off approach.
 
sbeth said:
Hey guys! I have a question. We have a broody who's eggs are due to hatch at anytime. Tomorrow will be her 21 days. I know by reading on some of them forums that the days could be off a little. Should I be checking her eggs?
Click to expand...
no. With a broody hen it is better if you don't disturb her from day 20 to 25, unless the chicks are wandering around.
 

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